CNI News

1 July 2023

U Zaw Zaw, a well-known businessman and U Maung Weik, owner of Sae Paing construction company made cash donations for bulding the Mara Vijaya Buddha Image reportedly.

The ceremony of clarifying the conditions relating to the completion of the Mara Vijaya Buddha Image that would be the largest and highest carved marble sitting Buddha Image among carved marble sitting Buddha images in the world was held on 29th June 2023.

Over 100 businesspeople including U Zaw Zaw and U Maung Weik attended the ceremony and made cash donations.The total donation of 101 donors was 16177 million kyats (16.177 billion kyats) reportedly.

 Maung Weik was making a cash donation for the Mara Vijaya Buddha Image on 29th June 2023.

Maung Weik was arrested soon after the Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, having said that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in the 2020 general election.

Maung Weik was arrested on charges that he bribed DASSK and Dr.Zaw Myint Maung and was released in June 2023.

U Zaw Zaw who had disappeared from public view since the Tatmadaw took power first came out in public while he was visiting Suwanna football stadium with Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC. After that, he showed up in public again at the ceremony on 29th June 2023.

CNI News
29 June 2023

Their five groups are discussing for the collective policy or contents laid down by the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) that was formed with 10 NCA signatories, said Col. Khun Okka.

Among the PPST members, Karen National Union(KNU), Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Chin National Front (CNF), All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) and New Mon State Party resigned from membership and reduced the level of their participation.

Other members of PPST - Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and KNU/KNLA Peace Council, formed D5PM ( Delegation 5 PPST's Members) and they are discussing for peace with the SAC's peace committee in Naypyidaw from 26th to 28th June.

2023 On May 17, while meeting the representatives of 7 PPST groups

"When the PPST was formed, 10 NCA signatories joined the team. Peace processes were implemented step by step. After political changes took place in february 2021,  some members of PPST reduced their member status. So, seven members of PPST took part in peace talks since 2022 as each group and as three in one group.But today for many reasons, as our five groups only, we have taken part in discussion, maintaining collective discussion policy" said Col.Khun Okka, leader of 5 group delegation on 26th June.

They were presenting and discussing for the collective policy laid down by 10 members of PPST and not the policy of their five groups, said Col.Khun Okka.

2023 In March, when representatives of 7 groups of NSPNC and PPST met

They would report the results from peace talks with National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) including ones from the discussion between the delegates of five groups and NSPNC and ones from the discussion between each group and NSPNC from 26th to 28th June, to five rest members that were included in the PPST when it was formed, he said.

The delegates from five members of PPST and NSPNC had discussion about the points to be amended from the Constitution (2008), matters relating to implementation
of the points agreed in previous talks, holding a peace conference, regional stability and anti-drug were discussed and negotiated.

CNI News

28 June 2023

Thai authorities are mainly collecting money from Myanmar citizens rather than other foreigners,said those who are helping in the affairs of Myanmar migrant workers. 
Although Thai authorities had collected money from Myanmar citizens in the past, collecting money has increased now because Myanmar citizens always give them whenever they ask, the people helping migrants and migrants said to CNI.

As Myanmar citizens, if they stay and work in accord with the Thai laws, they don't have to give money, but because the number of Myanmar citizens without legal documents has increased lately, they have become a workplace for Thai authorities, said Ko Moe Lay who is working in Thailand to CNI.

a street bar in Thailand

" Mainly it's very difficult for migrants who illegally entered. They are collected, for example, 500 Baht each by Thai authorities with understanding but unofficially. And those who are selling goods or self-employed persons have to pay the Thai police." he said.

Myanmar migrant workers without legal documents need to pay 300 to 500 Baht to the Thai authorities concerned so as not to be arrested reportedly. Myanmar self-employed migrants, most of them with legal documents, street vendors, small restaurant owners and so on have to pay money to the Thai authorities depending on the business.

Because Myanmar citizens outnumber other citizens, Myanmar citizens are reportedly suffering from the corruption of Thai authorities most. Moreover,when Myanmar citizens are arrested or experience other situations, the solution by paying money should be reduced, said the people helping migrant workers.

Departmental officials from the two countries are responsible for decreasing collecting money from Myanmar citizens, they pointed out.

street vendors being arrested

"To get rid of these actions, the situations of the countries where migrant workers came from need to be stable and peaceful. The people and the government must be one and the same. There must be lots of job opportunities. The government of Thailand, the host country, must have the power to put down the corruption effectively so that its civil servants will abide by the law. Only when the countries concerned have peace and stability, democracy,just and fair, respect for the law,,these bad habits will die out." said U Aung Kyaw from Labour Right Foundation (LRF).

There are several million migrant workers in Thailand, including about two million legal Myanmar migrant workers and about 700, 000 illegal Myanmar migrant workers. Currently, Thai authorities are seeking and arresting illegal migrants and Foreign migrant workers who are selling goods are also arrested by the plan, said in the Thai news reports.

CNI News

28 June 2023

There are some debates whether the current political problem will be solved if a political dialogue is held between SAC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. 
The beginning of road to solution could not be found without a political dialogue with DASSK, said in a statement released by NLD's Central Working Committee on the birthday of DASSK which fell on 19th June 2023.

It was difficult for him to say whether there would be a political dialogue between SAC and DASSK and to know DASSK's attitude in relation to spring revolution was needed, said U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson of UNA, to CNI.

people protesting against the Tatmadaw

" It's hard to say.How similar are the current processes to Daw Su's attitude? It is food for thought.To tell you frankly,as a leader, she was able to do a lot of good things including things that should be modelled. But now she's a very old woman. I want to leave her as an exemplary leader. Because how much healthy is she as a very old woman? How much effort can she take? How far can her decisions be correct? A very old person has a lot of aging symptons. I'm worried for these things" he said.

SAC can do everything that makes them take advantage, he added. Some international organizations are demanding SAC to release political prisoners including DASSK.

The political crisis could not be overcome by just discussing between SAC and DASSK. And he did not think that SAC would not discuss as well, said Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of Arakan Front Party (AFP) to CNI.

"I think that SAC doesn't take DASSK's role.into account any more.NLD also said that there were not any political prisoners. There were only criminal prisoners under its government. SAC also doesn't regard her as a political prisoner. She was charged with crimes like corruptions, violation of State Secret Act and so on. That's why whether DASSK will participate or not isn't important anymore, I think. SAC has held the 2008 constitution to solve Myanmar political problem.They announced a state of emergency according to the constitution and has taken power.They are trying for peace and stability. If there is no stability, we must ask them why." he said.

 people demanding democracy in 2021

The Tatmadaw toppled down the NLD government led by DASSK on 1st February, 2021 after saying that NLD tried to form a government without solving the ballot dispute in
the 2020 general election after which demonstrations against the Tatmadaw and armed conflicts arose all over the country.

Due to armed conflicts and political crises, economy, social, health, education and other sectors in the country are deteriorating.  

CNI News

28 June 2023

The National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee and leaders from the five NCA signatories are discussing to amend the constitution and hold the peace conference.The discussion was held at the office of National Solidarity and Peace-making Committee (NSPC) in Naypyidaw on 26th June. 

Points to be amended from the Constitution (2008), matters relating to implementation of the points agreed in previous talks, holding a peace conference, regional stability and anti-drug were discussed and negotiated.

The discussion will continue on the 27th and 28th reportedly. 

The discussion with NSPNC was attended by Col.Khun Okka, the leading patron of Pa-O National Liberation Organization, Col.Saw Sein Win, Commander in Chief of DKBA, Dr Naw Kapaw Htoo, Vice Chairperson of  Karen National Liberation Army (Peace Council), U Kyar Phu, vice chairman of Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) and Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party( ALP). 

And those who attended from NSPNC are Lt.Gen Yar Pyae, leader of peace talks, Lt.Gen Moe Myint Tun, member of SAC, Lt.Gen Win Bo Shein, secretary of NSPNC and members of negotiation committee.

CNI News

27 June 2023

More checks and arrests of foreigner migrant workers working as vendors or running a small shops have currently increased, said those who are helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News. It is intended not to be a shortage of jobs for Thai citizens. Working as vendors or running a small shops has been forbidden to foreigner  migrant workers. 

Legal migrant workers work as vendors or run small shops more than illegal ones, said Ko Thar Gyi, one who helps migrant workers, to CNI.  

"Most of sellers like that are legal migrant workers. You can do the business of selling goods only if you have a license.

Thai officials inspecting and arresting migrant workers selling durians and fruit juice

if the police come and inspect, they run away from their shops.If you are prosecuted, you will be fined from five thousand to fifty thousand baht. Foreigners are more inspected. Especially Myanmar and Cambodian were arrested, and they were sent back en masse. So many Cambodian people were sent back about two weeks ago" he said.

About one third of those who sell Thai barbeque, cold drinks and fruit at the places such as university campuses and fresh markets are Myanmar nationals. Moreover, rice and curry sold by Myanmar nationals are cheaper than those sold by Thai nationals. So, Myanmar compatriots buy and eat rice and curry sold by Myanmar citizens.

Thai officials inspecting migrant workers making preparations to go out selling

Due to these situations, Thai citizens are facing job shortages and There have been complaints to the Thai authorities, according to those who helping migrant workers.

" When Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and vietnam nationals who have stayed in Thailand for long can speak Thai start doing the jobs restricted such as selling around with the strollers on which fruits or vegetables are loaded and cutting hair. Thai people know that. As soon as they complain,Thai authorities come and inspect. When Thai people are facing job shortages, there have been their complaints." said an official from Labour Right Foundation (LRF) to CNI.

Beacuse basic salary and overtime pay are enough for a legal migrant worker, working in forbidden jobs is not because of financial difficulties, said the people helping migrant workers. 

CNI News

27 June 2023

There are reviews on whether Indonesia's efforts to reduce the Tatmadaw's involvement in Myanmar politics can work or not.Indonesia, which has been serving as the rotating chairman of ASEAN, is willing to try to make the Tatmadaw retreat from politics gradually and Indonesian Army also gradually retreated from politics, said Indomesia.

Most of the people said the Tatmadaw should retreat from politics and whenever the military was said so, the Tatmadaw said that they would retreat from politics only when there were no more ethnic armed groups, said Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to CNI News.

U Thein Sein

" According to the experience we tried, when there was Hluttaw politics or previous political administration systems, almost everybody used to say that the Tatmadaw should retreat from politics. The Tatmadaw used to reply that they would retreat from politics only when there were no more EAOs.So, in my opinion, we need to have fair negotiations between EAOs and the government and the Tatmadaw. When we negotiate,we tend to say malnly what we want. We maintain weapons why. On the other hand, we can't give that. If we give that to you, the union will disintegrate. There are wide attitude gaps between the government, the Tatmadaw and EAOs. We need to negotiate badly" she said.

Indonesian officials secretly go to Naypyidaw and discuss with SAC officials and there are also reportedly official meetings between the two sides On condition that the country could go in a stable way in accord with the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw might retreat from politics and but according to current situation, the Tatmadaw didn't seem to accept the suggestion to retreat from politics, said U Ye Tun, Myanmar Politics analyst to CNI.

the Hluttaw

" If I guess what they said, the Tatmadaw may accept like what Indonesia did. But they guessed that they would retreat from politics when battles especially the battles between the Tatmadaw and EAOs are under control after the country went in a stable way in accord with the 2008 Constitution for long and when peace is guaranteed  after the change which needs for federalism was conducted. According to the current situation, because they are afraid that the country will fall apart and become chaotic, they won't accept if they are urged to renounce politics at present, I think," he said.

According to the 2008 Constitution, the Tatmadaw has the right to appoint 25 percent of the Hluttaw without having to be elected. During the last civilian government.

There were some discussions about a gradual reduction of the Tatmadaw's involvement in politics.

CNI News

27 June 2023

Over 500 trucks of corn have not been able to be exported to Thailand as yet because there was a wrong export license name in applying for a license of corn export and  an export permit has not been issued, said corn traders.

Although ministry of commerse has agreed orally to re-export over 500 trucks of corn, because there are some delays in procedure, the corn traders have not been able to export the corn to Thailand as yet, said a corn trader from Myawady, to CNI News.

" At present, although the policy is relaxed, there are delays due to the procedure. over 500 trucks of corn are stranded in Myawady. The corn had to be dropped off in the warehouses in Myawady. There are about 16,000 tons of corn totally and the current market price is about 5.3 million US dollars" he said. Because the government has not issued the corn export permits, corn export has been reportedly stopped since 16th June.

While seeing Burmese corn

According to Myanmar's policy on export license, a trader or buyer from abroad must pay 100 percent of the value of the goods in advance. Thai traders do not transfer the money in advance for the goods that has not been licensed to be exported, said traders.

So, Myanmar exporters transferred the money needed on behalf of buyer so that they can get the license. But the company that transferred the money to buy the goods was not the same as the name described in the license, said U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairperson of Myanmar Corn Industrial Association to CNI.

" According to export policy, a buyer from the other country has to pay in advance for the goods that he will buy after which the goods has to be exported from this side. But few practsies like that on the ground. Buyers from other countries hardly buy the goods from Myanmar after paying in advance.

While buying corn

That's why, the trader who want to sell his goods exchanges his money into State-designated currency such as dollar or yuan or baht and asked a company from the other country to transfer that money to the account here so that he can get the license. Afetr getting the license, the goods are exported. When our goods arrive at the other count, we sell our goods to another company really buying corn that will be convenient for us. But when the other side designate that we will sell the company that transferred the money only, we find it difficult a little. But we've heard that they would relax. I wonder if they might issue an official statement." he said.

For the company that transferred the money in advance will have to be sold, that company has reduced the corn price. So,it is next to impossible to raise the corn price, said corn traders.

Because the deadline for exporting corn to Thailand with tax exemption is August 31, they need to get the corn export licenses before the deadline, said corn traders.

CNI News

26 June 2023

No conflict is needed between AA and Chin forces while they are fighting against common enemies, said U Pe Than, a Rakhine politician, to CNI. Moreover,  Now is a period of war and there must be collaboration between Rakhine forces and Chin forces at a time like that, he said.

" They have nothing to worry about it ( There AA forces in Paletwa Township). This is a period of war. Only when ULA/AA is trying to capture Paletwa or to pull Paletwa into Rakhine State, Chin should ask this question. No matter Chin forces are in Rakhine or Rakhine forces are in Chin, it's no problem.What it is important is that there will be no conflict between the two sides." he said.
Because Paletwa Township in Chin State is militarily important to AA, AA has taken a foothold in the township since they started armed movement”he added.

It is said that AA takes advantage of battles currently taking place between Chin armed forces and the Tatmadaw and is taking a foothold in the middle of Chin State.

Paletwa Town

The CNI could not independently confirm this statement.AA leaders have said that they have temporarily taken a foothold before they build Arakan State and so there will be no problem, said a Cbin ethnic from Paletwa Township to CNI.

At present, there are no Chin armed forces in Paletwa Township and there are only teritories controlled by AA and the Tatmadaw, he added. ULA/AA was formed in April 2009 and when it started revolution, it took a foothold in Paletwa and penetrated into Rakhine State.

After two years of cceasefire between AA and the Tatmadaw, battles took place again in August 2022. After that, the two sides agreed to cease battles on 26th November 2022, having much sympathy for the loss of local community.