CNI News
16 June 2023

Rakhine State, which was affected by Cyclone Mocha, has almost returned to its original state just now, said U Hla Thein, Attorney General of the state and spokesperson of the Rakhine State Administration Council, to CNI.

The cyclone entered the Rakhine State on 14th May and because it has been a month on 14th June since the cyclone hit the state, he answered as above what CNI asked in relation to reconstruction of the state.  

" When it's been a month since the cyclone hit the state, Sittwe has almost returned to normal situation because everybody can go on the streets. Every street has been cleared. 
Electricity has been available already. We have been able to use the electrity from the national grid. We have been able to use mobile phones. Wi-Fi has not been available as yet. But private companies are carrying out to be able to use Wi-Fi. And All the shops are open in Sittwe and so are schools.Hospitals are normally operating.

To say the least, everything has almost returned to their original situation in a month after the cyclone hit the state. I have been busy since the cyclone hit the state. I have been managing. Meetings have been held to make decisions. We have to present decisions to Naypyidaw" he saud to CNI.

They were able to reach normal situation quickly due to the collaboration of social organizations and the people. Moreover, rescue and reconstruction are being conducted without stopping as streets and roads have been open, he added.

bamboo houses and huts destroyed by Cyclone Mocha

Aids, rescue and reconstruction tasks reach the wards in cities and towns only and rarely get to the rural areas, said incharges from IDP camps.

At present, due to unclean environment in the IDP camps, older people there are feeling unhealthy, said Ma Myint, incharge of an IDP camp in Kyauk Taw, to CNI.

"All the houses collapsed. All the toilets collapsed.All the foods were wet. We don't have enough water. Bamboos are scarce. But we still have a very small building where we live, we cook and we sleep. Because camps were made of bamboos, all collapsed. When we take a bath, we are allergic very much. I don't know why.

We smell bad so much near where we live. Older people's blood pressures quickly rise and fall. And we are short of monthly use napkins for women" she said.

Now that the rainy season has reached, those who lost their houses are trying to take shelter from the rain,according to philanthropic teams. There are still many people who are finding it difficult to get rian-proof houses.

Moreover local people are suffering from insufficient water and foodstuff's prices are going up after cyclone, said a responsible person from a prahita youth team in Yathetaung to CNI.

SAC is donating 70,000 lakh Kyats to cyclone-hit people

"After Cyclone Mocha, food prices rocketed.The main is rice here. We paid about 90,000 Kyats for a bag of rice ( about 105 lb), but now we have to pay 140,000 Kyats.The food is very difficult for lower class." he said.

SAC spent 70,000 lakh Kyats to carry out tasks for aids and reconstruction in cyclone-hit Rakhine State and  aids, rescue and logistics are being performed.

Moreover, ULA/AA formed a committee for emergency rescue and reconstruction (ERRCA) led by Deputy Chief of Staff Dr. Nyo Tun Aung. ERRCA is performing aid and rescue tasks.
The Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) and United Wa State Army (UWSA) donated 10,000 lakh Kyats to the people in cyclone-hit Rakhnine state
NUG released a statement that it had delivered donated 2,300 lakh Kyats to the refugee camps in Rakhine, Chin States, Sagaing, Magway and Yangon Regions,India border and Bangladesh starting from sometime befor the cyclone to 2nd June

CNI News

16 June 2023

Discussions are underway among political community in relation to civilian deaths during armed conflicts. 

Battles are taking place between the Tatmadaw and PDFs as well as between the Tatmadaw and ethnic armed groups in Myanmar.As time go on, mutual accusationa, killings, and arrestings have increased An non-aligned organization should intervene the civilian death problem, said U Sein Win, former member of the Pyithu Hluttaw to CNI.

five PDFs and a civilian seen after being killed in southern part of Myaing

" Because I have a desire to solve the problem,I have alarmed former members of Hluttaw. As soon as we have formed an organisaion and drawn a plan, we will present our plan to SAC after asking permission to meet.If SAC accepts our plan, we will contact to other side. I'd like to mediate to make both sides negotiate.But according to current situations, it's hard to start even in local" he said.

Li Li Naing Kyaw, a singer, was shot outside her apartment on the night of 30th May and died on 6th June.

Li Li Naing Kyaw was killed by Kaung Zarni Hein (B) La Pyayt and Kyaw Thura (B) E.T and Kaung Zarni Hein's mother and elder sister also were killed.

With the political landscape that has changed after 1st February, 2021, armed conflicts have intensified and all over the country many civilians are being killed with accusations of espionag. Moreover,with the accusations of being an advocate of violence, many civilians are being killed Civilians are being killed.

The reason why civilians are victims of armed conflicts  is due to the consequences of not implementing the Panglong contract, said U Kwan Kayaung Aung Kham, a Kachin politician, to CNI.

some local PDFs seen somewhere in the forest (Indaw PDF)

"Once there is a war, the people are victims. Civilians were killed in Cambodia and so were in Yugoslavia. It is unavoidable. But people don't like that civilians are killed. But who began the war? It depends on who made war? I there is no war, it is better. There has been war in our country for over 70 years. if we are able to implement the Panglong Agreement, then the war will stop.After implementng the Panglong Agreement, if we can build a true federal union, we will be peaceful" he said.

Due to the political landscape that has changed after 1st February, 2021, At least, 8,640 civilians were killed within two years. 748 civilians were killed within first five months of 2023 due to armed conflicts, according to ISP Myanmar.

CNI News

16 June 2023

Maj-Gen Than Htike, commander of northwestern command, who was reported to have been arrested, gave the rewards to eleven PDFs who surrendered with their weapons.
  
Eleven men, members of PDF from Pakokku township, Magway Region, and from Kalay township and Sagaing township, Sagaing Region came and surrendered with five self-propelled guns, and a pistol and they handed over the weapons to commander Maj-Gen Than htike and U Myat Kyaw, chief minister of Sagaing Region on 14th June.

U Myat Kyaw, chief minister of Sagaing Region, giving rewards to PDFs

Each of five men who surrendered with five self-propelled guns was given 50 lakh Kyats and a man with a pistol , 25 kakh Kyats and five men without any weapons, 20 lakh Kyats each.

The men who surrendered were handed over to their parents after being asked to sign confessions.

SAC issued a news released that it would give rewards to those who would re-enter the legal framework with weapons from various organizations, including PDF, fighting against SAC from 9th to 16th May.

Maj-Gen Than Htike who gave reward to 11 members of PDF who surrended was arrested during an emergency visit to Nay Pyi Taw which some media reported on 13th June.

CNI News

15 June 2023

In relation to why India is getting more involved in the Myanmar issue, discussions among Myanmar political community are underway.

Workshops on federalism sponsored by India were held in Yangon and Naypyidaw where SAC's National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and seven NCA signatories met Indian federal experts and Indian ambassador on 6th and 8th June.  

Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Indian Ambassador

It appeared after the peace talk in Myla, eastern Shan State where Northern Alliance (AA,MNDAA,and TNLA) and NSPNC met on 1st and 2nd June.

" India is friendly to both the government and opposition elements. It seems to deal with both sides fairly" said Daw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) to CNI.

" India is one of Myanmar's neigbouring countries and it is a country that has always worked with Myanmar for many years. It is friendly to not only the government but also opposition elements. After 1988 as well, it has dealed with both sides fairly. So, when we held the meeting, so Indian ambassador himself came to the meeting" she said.

Since State Administration Council (SAC) took power, India has had more re,lations with SAC and organizations formed by SAC and it is getting more involved in Myanmar's politics, peace and economy.  

India delivered humanitarian aids to Rakhine State where there was damage caused by Cyclone Mocha that entered  through Rakhine coastline on 14th May.

 India donates cyclone Mocha-hit people

India government is trying to restart Kaladan River Project and collaborating with Myanmar Tatmadaw for peace and stability of the border area.

Armed conflicts that are taking place in Myanmar impact on India, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of Lisu National Developent Party to CNI.

" Armed conflicts here impact on India because refugees from Myanmar got to India. To tell you frankly, there are economically dealing paths between the countries. But some paths have not been open. They want Myanmar to get on well. So, Maybe they are trying, I think." he said.

Due to current armed conflicts that are taking place in Chin State, over 50,000 Myanmar IDPs fled to Mizoran Provence in India.

India and Myanmar share a border of about 1,000 miles. Along the border are Chin National Front (CNF), Arakan Army (AA), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), local PDFs,Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) and (Manipur and Naga) rebels that are fighting against India government.

CNI News

15 June 2023 

In order to export more rice and broken rice to the Philippines, Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) and eight Philippine companies buying agricultural products including Myanmar rice met and  MRF and International Trade Corporation under Philippine ministry of trade and industry signed an MoU, according to MRF.

 a rice shop

Due to the fact that the current price of rice in Myanmar is higher than international rice price,it is currently not convenient to export Myanmar rice to the Philippines.Myanmar rice can be exported to the Philippines only when it can be sold in comparison with international rice price, said an official of MRF to CNI.

" We signed an MoU with Philippine International Trade Corporation (PITC). We've got a new market. If we can sell, we'll export. We also discussed with the importers in the Philippines. We can't export at the current price. Our rice prices are higher than those in Vietnam and Thailand, so they can't buy as well. We can export our rice to the Philippines only when we can sell in comparison with international price price” he said.

Myanmar was able to export 110,000 tons of rice and broken rice through border and maritime in April and May during current fiscal year 2023-2024.

In order to be able to export more rice and broken rice, Myanmar delegation containing chairperson of MRF, businesspeople and traders went to the Philippines and trade issues were discussed with Philippine officials from 6th to 9th June.

While the prices of inputs are going up, MRF was able to sign an MoU to export more rice and broken rice and got a new market, which was hailed by U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association.

a rice warehouse

"Because an MoU was signed and they will surely buy the rice from here. Demand has increased. While the prices of inputs are going up, on the other hand, if the market is opened, it is more convenient for manifacturers. We must hail it.' he said to CNI. 
 
Because rice prices are going up in Myanmar at present, rice exporters do not make a profit from exporting rice and broken rice. So, most of traders have stopped exporting rice and broken rice and they are exporting for existing orders only, said Myanmar rice traders.

Myanmar is exporting its rice and broken rice to 25 countries including China, Malaysia, Spain,Belgium, France, Netherland, and Bulgaria through marinetime and border routes.

CNI News

14 June  2023

When tenant residents who committed terrorism are takem action against, apartments or houses rented by terrorists will be seized as evidence, which was issued by Combating Terrorism Center on 13th June 2023.

Members of so-called CRPH,NUG and NUG and related organizations are staying in rented apartments and dormitories   so as not to be easily traced according to the process of arrests, said Combating Terrorism Center.

Owners of dormitories, houses and apartments must rent only after obtaining complete documents of the tenants' personal information and they must submit guest list with these complete documents to ward administration office, said Combating Terrorism Center.

" When tenants who commit terrorism are taken action against, rented houses, apartments or dormitories will be seized as an evidence in relationn to the case and If found guilty according to the examination in court, they will be confiscated as national treasure' it said.

Although the notification has been issued, some owners kept renting ignorantly, which encourage terrorisms, it said.

while a tenant commits terrorism and is being examined, if found the apartment owner systematically did not rent and submit the tenant's personal information to the ward administration office, that person's apartment will be confiscated as national treasure and taken action against as a supporter of terrorism, combating Terrorism Center has issued.

CNI News

14 June 2023

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) and caninet discussed in order to identify and take action against too greedy people who make commodity prices go up.

The discussion was conducted at the meeting on ability to increase production of basic consumer goods on 12th June, 2023.

To closely supervise in order to make reasonable prices of local agricultural products and imported products, to inform the public of the basic commodity prices issued by the State and relevant organizations and to identify and take action against businesspeople who make prices go up were included in the discussion.

"In our country, because the prices of inputs for agriculture, livestock and manufacturing rise, production costs also become high. Moreover, because of greedy business people's monetary speculation and desire to politically exploit, commodity prices are higher than they should be" said Sr.Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

After SAC took responsibility of the State,local dissident organizations are carrying out to adversely affact the economic sector. And some foreign countries conducted economic sanctions against the country and stopped aids and collaborations, he said.

Monetary speculators are exploiting currency exchange gaps in trade and carrying out to affact banking activities, he added. Commodity prices could be stabilized by producing suffuciently basic foodstuff in states and regions. Noreover, manufacturers need to sell their products at the most reasonable prices for the sake of people, he said.

CNI News

14 June 2023

500 battles occurred between Tatmadaw and joint army that contains EAOs and PDF in May, 2023 and there were deaths on both sides, which was reported by NUG's Ministry of Defence.

NUG has reported that the 500 battles took place in NUG's No.1 regional military command territory that contains Sagaing Region, Magway Region and Mandalay Region, and in northern Shan State.

"During May, 500 battles took place and 449 enemies were killed and 681 were wounded. 41 of its comrades were killed and 113 were wounded. Joint army captured 24 different weapons and a lot of ammunition from the enemy" NUG reorted.

Myanmar Tatmadaw

Since there was a large gap between the two sides relating to the number of deaths, there were some doubts, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of Grand Strategies Studies to CNI.

"This is a technique they usually do.It's a psywar, to say the least. A lot of people died on the enemy's side and only a few died on their side.They want to tell their supporters that their armed path is going to be successful and they want to enhearten the supporters mentally. It's hard to believe their facts if there isn't any evidence on the ground" he said.

Of the 500 battles in May, there were 150 engagements, 100 mining attacks, 156 firing attacks, 71 drone attacks by NUG and there were 23 air strikes by enemy, said in a statement by NUG's ministry of defence Although he could not confirm the number of deaths from two sides, the people don't take side with the Tatmadaw any more and don't even help the Tatmadaw with facts and information, said U Pe Than,Arakan politician to CNI.

 Myanmar Tatmadaw

"EAOs and PDFs are collaborating with NUG. The people have increased helping NUG's joint army with information. On the other hand, SAC's soldiers are quite depressed with current situation and some ran away. When the Tatmadaw has no political dignity, its forces become down-hearted. They came to know the people don't take side with them.They find it difficult in transport. Their army suffer badly mining attacks. EAOs and PDFs take next step from gurilla to capturing the Tatmadaw's camps. They suffer badly like this because they are counting on air strike only, I think” he said.  

Due to the change of political landscaping after February, 2021, battles have been taking place between the Tatmadaw and joint army that contains EAOs and PDEs in Kayin, Kareni, Chin states, Sagaing and Magway regions.There are currently over two million IDPs in Myanmar because of the battles, according to ISP Myanmar.

CNI News

14 June 2023

Due to tax reduction for (SKD Semi Knocked Down) cars that are locally installed and CKD cars that are wholly installed, If the production of SKD cars increases, may impact on local car market, said car policy experts and car market analysts.

At present, car prices are the highest and due to tax reduction, if cars that are installed and produced by SKD system are re-produced in local again, it may impact on car market.

Moreover, if SUZUKI cars that are sold in accord with international price were re-prodeced, it would impact on car market, said U Min Min Maung, chairperson of Yangon Region Automobile Manufacturer And Distributors Association, to CNI.

installating and producing SKD cars 

" It depends on their intention. Is Tax reduction for SKD cars to sell a lot of SKD cars or to produce a lot of SKD cars? And Will SKD cars be re-produced from various brands? Depending on these two facts, SKD will impact on the car market.

Relevant sectors will make a decision whether SKD cars will come out from various brands and the State will decide how mush budget will be issued for how many SKD cars.It still is early for us to decide depending on these situations. Car prices are the highest at present.

To tell you mainly, I wonder if SUZUKI cars will be re-produced. If they would be re-produced, It would impact on the car market because SUZUKI is Japan brand original. When these cars are sold, they will be sold at an international price. The selling price in other countries will be nearly similar with that in Myanmar If SUZUKi cars are produced in a large scale in this country, it will impact on the market.

For the domestically produced SKD cars and CKD cars, the tax rates are relaxed from 1st June, 2023 to 31st May 2024. The tax rates have been reduced from 7.5 percent to 5 percent for 2000cc and above and from 5 percent to 3 percent for 2000cc CKD cars and above.

According to current automobile policy, business cars only are allowed to import and passenger cars and family cars are allowed to produce and sell by SKD and CKD systems only. Insted of relaxing the tax, only if car import permits are re-issued, local car prices will decrease, said U Aung Pyae Sone, car policy specialist to CNI.

SUZUKI car showroom

" About 12 million people are using cars for transportation in our country. We need more cars yearly. If the car import permits are not issued, the car prices will surely decrease. Even SUZUKI cars that are produced in local were able to produce between 3,500 and 4,000 at most." he said.
The State tend to issue how many SKD cars will be produced according to each category after April each year. But the State has not issued up to now. They would have to watch it,said car businesspeople.

Currently, all car parts have been banned to import. So installating and manufacturing cars have been stopped. Because perviously installed cars are being sold and bought, the prices are going up, said U Aung Than Win, chairperson of Yangon Automobile Trade Association to CNI.

Although cars were produced on SKD and CKD systens in local after importing car parts, because it was difficult to import car spare parts, production had to be stopped in July 2022. At present,there are new SUZUKI and KIA cars that are produced by SKD system, but they have not been able to fully produce.