CNI News

20 Dec 2022

When Myawady-Mae Sot No (1) Friendship Bridge is reopened, it will be beneficial for returning Myanmar workers as well as job seekers who want to work in Thailand, labour activists told the CNI.

As Myanmar workers in Thailand had to return from Thailand via illegal routes and spent a lot of money, risking arrests, taking measures to reopen the bridge will be beneficial for them, the activists said.

Ko Thar Gyi, a labour activist for Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI, "When the bridge is reopened, there will be about 2 million Myanmar migrant workers who have not been able to return home due to COVID-19 for many years. They want to return home. If the bridge is reopened, people from both sides of the border can visit each other's country by applying for border passes, which will enable Myanmar workers to go to Mae Sot officially and look for jobs."

No (1) Friendship Bridge at Thailand-Myanmar border.

However, Ko Thar Gyi added that it is important for those who cross the bridge to be cautious about their security as the area was frequently hit by explosions recently.

When the bridge is reopened and border passes are issued, the number of illegal Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand is likely to increase, the labour activists warned.

The number of illegal migrants is likely to increase significantly because they can only be deported to Myanmar even if arrested, the activists added.

Reopening the bridge can decrease human trafficking cases but sneaking into Thailand may not be stopped, Advisor U Aung Kyaw of the Migrant Workers Rights Network told the CNI.

Myawady-Mae Sot border gate.

He told the CNI, "Myanmar workers have already known that they can officially work in Thailand under the MOU between the two countries but they are still sneaking into Thailand. Therefore, the number of illegal migrants cannot decrease when the bridge is reopened. This is because it takes a long time to go to work in Thailand under the MOU. The process involves interviews and submission of documents to Nay Pyi Taw to seek approvals. No one wants to wait that long. Many workers think that if they sneak into Thailand with the help of agents, it takes only one or two days.

The bridge has been closed for almost three years although there were unconfirmed reports that it would be reopened soon.

As the bridge is important for transportation of people and goods between the two countries, activists want authorities to reopen the bridge.

CNI News

20 Dec 2022

The people play an important role in the peace process of Myanmar, Chairman Dr Aye Maung of the Arakan Front Party told the CNI.

He added that every government must listen to the voice of the people because the will of the people is very important.

Dr Aye Maung told the CNI, "The will of the people is very important. Every government has to listen to the public voice. Governments administer the country on behalf of the people to provide them with good governance mechanisms. Every government wants to leave a good legacy. The will of the public is important. We, politicians have to think about what kind of government they want, if they are ready to create a certain environment, whether we can build an environment in which peace, human rights and nation unity can be enjoyed by the people and if we should regret that we cannot resolve the issues even after the public has sacrificed their lives for 75 years."

A demonstration calling for peace. (GETTY IMAGES)

Therefore, the public, the government, armed groups and national races must choose the best path to build a country without bloodshed, he said.

Will the peace process move forward only when all stakeholders can participate in the process, Comrade Aye Lwin, spokesperson of the All Burma Student Democratic Force told the CNI.

He said, "I have already talked about the peace process. All stakeholders must be able to participate in the process. Can the peace process move forward only when all stakeholders can participate in it."

The federal democracy union must be built through negotiations step by step, Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI.

Troops of Burmese People Liberation Army (BPLA)

He said, "For the peace process we want to implement and the federal democracy union we want to build, all democratic forces must participate in democracy and all ethnic stakeholders including ethnic political parties and all ethnic armed groups must participate in federalism. Negotiations participated by all stakeholders can lead to union peace and the federal democracy union, which we will build step by step."

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing designated the year 2022 as the peace year and held talks with some ethnic armed groups.

CNI News

20 Dec 2022

As new onions are harvested, the prices of onions, which stood MMK 3,000 per viss recently, have dropped significantly and farmers may suffer losses if the prices continue to fall, farmers told the CNI.

Currently, onion prices dropped to MMK 1,500 or 1,600 per viss but the prices are likely to fall below MMK 1,000 per viss.

If the prices continue to fall below MMK 1,000 per viss, farmers are likely to suffer losses, U Khin Maung Htay, an onion farmer from Magway Region, told the CNI.

He said, "Onion prices have dropped. Farmers who are about to harvest the crop are complaining about the falling prices, which stand between MMK 1,500 and 1,600 per viss. If they do not sell the crop now, weights of onions will fall. And onions harvested in this season cannot be stored for a long time and weights will drop. As prices are likely to fall below MMK 1,000, farmers are likely to suffer losses. They had to buy one bag of triple superphosphate fertilizer at MMK 160,000 or 170,000. At the current onion prices, it is profitable for them. If the prices continue to fall below MMK 1,000 per viss, they will suffer losses. As the onions were grown from bulbs, farmers did not have to invest as much as growing from seedlings."

Onions in the market. (GETTY IMAGES)

Onion prices have fallen because Thailand has suspended importing onions from Myanmar and Vietnam does not import onions harvested in this season.

Moreover, onions are being harvested in various parts of the country, according to merchants.

Farmers are worried that onion prices continue to fall below MMK 1,000.

As some farmers are harvesting onions earlier than normal, the prices are likely to fall further, they have been urged not to do so, U Hla Thaung of Pakokku Merchants and Brokers Association told the CNI.

Onion farmers. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "The prices of old onions reached MMK 3,000 to 4,000 per viss and farmers grew more onions, which will be harvested later. Some onions have not been harvested. We are worried that farmers will harvest their crop earlier than normal. If they do so, the prices will fall further. Brokerage houses have told them that the prices will not drop below MMK 1,000 per viss."

Current onion prices are beneficial for farmers, merchants and consumers, according to merchants.

Most onions in the market recently are those harvested from Seikphyu, Ma Hlaing, Taungtha, Myingyan and Myittha and there are more onions to be harvested.

CNI News

20 Dec 2022

A homemade bomb explosion on Yangon-Dala ferry Cherry (2) wounded 17 passengers.

The ferry was about 50 metres away from Pansodan jetty and was heading to Dala at 6.40 pm on 18 December, 2022, when the bomb exploded at the base of its back steel ladder, according to the press release of the State Administrationn Council.

Civilians injured during the explosion on Yangon-Dala ferry Cherry (2).

The explosion injured 17 civilians.

It is still unknown who was responsible for the explosion.

CNI News

19 Dec 2022

Upholding U Kyaw Moe Tun's status as the permanent representative at the United Nations is a diplomatic victory, Advocate U Kyee Myint told the CNI.

As U Kyaw Moe Tun is one of the ministers appointed by the National Unity Government, there will be ripple effects, he added.

U Kyee Myint told the CNI, "It is a diplomatic victory. Afghan and Myanmar are treated in the same way. It is a diplomatic victory because he can express the voice of the people at the UN. He is a minister appointed by the NUG and the permanent represented by the NUG. It will have ripple effects."

A demonstration calling for the renewal of U Kyaw Moe Tun's post. (Kyaw Soe Latt)

The renewal of U Kyaw Moe Tun's status as the permanent representative was approved by the 77th General Assembly on 17th December and he will hold the post until September, 2023, when the UN General Assembly is held.

The post of U Kyaw Moe Tun was renewed under the Rule 29 of the General Assembly but it cannot be assumed that he is able to represent an organization, Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun of the News Information Team of the SAC told the VOA.

It is not clear whether U Kyaw Moe Tun can represent Myanmar or not and it is necessary to closely monitor the situation, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

A pro-democracy demonstration. (GETTY IMAGES)

He said, "U Kyaw Moe Tun's status was also renewed last year but it was not clear whether he represented the country or not. He was not allowed to make speeches at the United Nation General Assembly by representing Myanmar. So, we had to wait and see what changes would take place during the period. However, the UN is not an organization that can bring about significant changes in Myanmar. So, we will have to wait and see the situation this year too because it is difficult to assess the situation."

Both the SAC and the NUG urged the international diplomats and foreign diplomats in Myanmar to support their candidates for the permanent representative.

It was learnt that renewing U Kyaw More Tun as the representative not of the NUG but of the previous governments.

CNI News

19 Dec 2022

Banning motorcycles and bicycles in Bago and Magway regions and taking action against riders have caused transportation problems in daily activities for local residents.

The traffic police has banned riding motorcycles in Nattalin, Pyay, Paungde, Gyobingauk and Zigon townships and Taungnyo Village in Bago Region.

Locals who violate the ban are fined or sentenced to prison terms, Ma Phyo Phyo, a Nattalin resident, told the CNI.

She said, "As action was taken against motorcycle riders, people were forced to use cars even to buy goods in the local market. Authorities even took action against bicycle riders if they failed to install bells on their bicycles. As a result, peddlers and deliverymen have to halt their activities. It is difficult to transport goods from place to place. As authorities are taking action against trike and bike riders, transportation is very difficult. Bikers were not only fined but also sentenced to prison terms. Even goods were seized if they carried them. The same held true in Nattalin, Gyobingauk and Paungde. The situation was the worst in Zigon, where local residents were forced to go to Taung Nyo to buy goods. Now, authorities have also closed the road to Taung Nyo."

A police officer searches motorcycle riders.

In Pakokku, motorcycle riders are not allowed to carry pillion passengers and residents are also permitted to ride motorcycles between 8 am and 5 pm.

Business activities have been delayed by such restrictions, U Hla Thaung, an onion merchant from Pakokku, told the CNI.

He said, "In the past, motorcycle riders could carry women passengers. Now, they can carry no one. As the time for riding motorcycles has been restricted from 8 am to 5 pm, people are able to start work at 9 am. Those who come to work in town from villages have to go back home earlier. So, business activities have been delayed."

Motorcycle riders staging a protest in front of security forces.

As security forces shot at motorcycle riders who carried pillion passengers, some of them were shot to death, according to local residents.

As members of People Defence Forces use motorcycles to launch attacks on security forces and run away, authorities in some townships have banned riding motorcycles in their areas.

In small townships, local residents have to rely on motorcycles to go to and from and to carry out their daily activities but banning motorcycles there poses difficulties for them.

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing urged people to use bicycles to save fuel.

The SAC has not prohibited riding bicycles and motorcycles officially.

CNI News

17 Dec 2022

U Kay Sai, who served as the chairman of the Naga Self-administered Zone Leading Body during the term of the National League for Democracy from 2015 to 2020, slept in Christ on 16th December.

He had been suffering illnesses for a long time and passed away at his house in Myitkyina in Kachin State on 16th December.

Election result for U Kay Sai in the 2015 general election.

He was born in Shingbwingyang in Tanai Township and survived four offspring.

He represented the NLD and was elected as a regional parliament candidate from Nanyun Township in the 2015 general election.

CNI News

17 Dec 2022

Most of the youths in the Spring Revolution are fighting against the military junta not because of the flattery of elders, Political Observers told the CNI.

As the injustice of the Myanmar military is so blatant that no one can prevent them from taking up arms, he added.

Security forces carry our operations. (STR-GETTY IMAGES)

U Than Soe Naing told the CNI, "It is not a war instigated by elders including those from powerful organizations, who are disappointed by the 70 years of the civil war. As the injustice of the military is so blatant that no one can prevent them from taking up arms. Those who say that youths take up arms because of the flattery of elders are opportunists who want to cover up the crimes of the military. It does not reflect the reality on the ground. The reality is that youths and elders are united in the movement. Parents permit their children, who also seek permission from their parents to join the war. Atrocities of the military are so worse than the fascists that they can no longer tolerate the situation."

Some social network posts are spreading a concept that no war has broken out because of youths but they are dying because of war. Some youths accepted that war in Myanmar has erupted not because of them.

Youths taking part in military training. (SOPA-GETTY IMAGES)

The root cause of the war in Myanmar is the military dictatorship, Spokesperson Comrade Aye Lwin of the All Burma Student Democratic Front told the CNI.

He said, "The war in Myanmar has been created by the military dictatorship. It was not not created by any individuals. If the military had not staged a coup, the war would not have escalated to such an extent. The situation during the terms of the quasi-civilian government and the civilian government has deteriorated after the coup."

After the military staged a coup against the civilian government on 1st February, 2021, youths have taken up arms to participate in the Spring Revolution.

CNI News

17 Dec 2022

The trading volume in the 2022-2023 fiscal year was higher than that of the 2021-2022 fiscal year, Myanmar reported a trade deficit of US$ 542.446 million, according to statistics of the Ministry of Commerce.

Although export volume was higher than that of imports in the border trade, imports were higher in trade through other channels and the country showed a trade deficit, according to economic observers.
As the border trade with China, which had been closed since 2021, has been reopened, trading volume has increased, Vice Chairman U Min Thein of Muse Rice Exchange told the CNI.

 Trucks exporting goods to China

He said, "During the 2021-2022 fiscal year, border trade halted due to the third wave of COVID-19 from the middle of the year to November, 2021. We couldn't do anything. Border trade resumed in 2022. In the 2022-2023 fiscal year , we are able to export much more rice and broken rice to China than what we did in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. In 2021, Kyin San Kyawt, the only border gate which was still open then, had to be closed. Nothing except medical supplies was allowed to pass through the gate. So, we could do nothing for three months. Border trade resume in 2022. The situation is better in the 2022-2023 fiscal year than that of the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Although border trade has improved in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, trading volume has not reached the pre-COVID-19 level, according to merchants.

Exchange calculation.

As of 2nd December in the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Myanmar exported goods worth US$ 11,171.143 million and imported goods worth US$ 11,713.589 million, showing a trading deficit of US$ 542.446 million, according to statistics of the Ministry of Commerce.

An economic observer said, "The higher trading volume is beneficial for the country but it cannot be said that trading deficits are not good for the country. Trading deficits may be due to low exports or high imports. If exports do not fall and import volume is higher, the situation is not so bad. Imports can be classified into three groups such as capital goods, intermediate goods and consumer goods. We must find out which group is responsible for increased imports. We will have to think about how to cover the deficits. The FDI can cover the deficit. If we can still cover the deficit with the FDI, this amount of deficit is not much. If the FDI does not cover the deficit and we have to spend the foreign exchange reserve to cover the deficit, it is not beneficial for the country."