CNI News

29 Nov 2022

Public grievances should be addressed like the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army, Col Khun Okkar, an ethnic armed organization leader, told the CNI.

The Myanmar military junta and the AA have announced a ceasefire out of concern over the grievances of local residents.

Col Khun Okkar told the CNI, "As even a strong ethnic armed organization with a firm foothold in Rakhine State like the AA could reach a humanitarian ceasefire with the military, other ethnic armed organizations in the country should follow the example of the AA based on their strength, circumstances and grievances of local residents. Local residents in areas under the control of the Karenni National Progressive Party and Brigade 6 of the Karen National Union have been forced to suffer troubles as long as the situation continues to deteriorate. So, if they follow the step of the AA, it will be beneficial for local residents."

Col Khun Okkar. (NAC-S EAO-fb)

As the military and the AA have reached a ceasefire deal, political observers are worried about the possibility for offensives of the Myanmar military by deploying troops in Rakhine State to other major areas.
Col Khun Okkar said conflicts in other major areas will escalate if the military reinforce its troops in these areas with troops deployed in Rakhine State.
The military has focused on Rakhine State to prevent disintegration of the union and only about 20 percent of troops in Rakhine could be redeployed to other major areas, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Spring Revolution KNDF troops. (KNDF)

He told the CNI, "We are worried that the military will reinforce its troops in areas controlled by other EAOs with the forces from Rakhine to launch major offensives. Many are concerned about the possibility because the military used to do so in other ethnic areas during the previous ceasefire after the general election. When it staged a coup in February, 2021, it still maintained the ceasefire with the AA. Then, people's defence forces were formed to resist the military rule. The PDFs have been able to resist the military. The military could not use all its troops from Rakhine State to launch offensives in other major areas because the AA and the military have fought against each other for the control of Rakhine State while the PDFs and the National Unity Government are fighting it for political power.

He added that fighting in Rakhine State could resume at any time if the military disrupts administrative, judiciary and legislative affairs and taxation in Rakhine State despite its promise not to attack AA outposts.

Clashes have erupted between the military and joint forces EAOs and the local PDFs in Sagaing and Magway regions and Kayin, Chin and Kayah (Karenni) states.

CNI News

27 Nov 2022

Myanmar exported mung beans to the 27-member European Union, according to pulses and bean merchants.

The exported mung beans were cultivated with EU techniques in Khayan and Thonegwa townships in Yangon Region, U Nay Win Soe, in-charge of Ayeyar Trading Centre, told the CNI.

He said, "We are still exporting mung beans to the EU, which has contracts with farmers in Khayan and Thonegwa by providing technologies. So, farmers in the townships grew mung beans by using their technology. The EU still imports such mung beans under the contracts. It does not import mung beans cultivated in other townships."

Myanmar mung beans. (GETTY IMAGES)

Pulses and beans merchants said that the EU does not import mung beans cultivated in Ayeyarwady Region.

A pulses and beans merchant told the CNI, "In terms of prices, mung beans fetch higher prices than black gram. Mung beans are consumed locally and exported to China. However, we cannot export it to meet the demand of the country. We export black gram and pigeon beans to India, which does not impot mung beans."

Mung beans cultivated with local techniques are mainly exported to China.

CNI News

27 Nov 2022

The National Unity Government has been preparing to take effective action against those who commit violence against women, NUG Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than said.

He made the comment in his speech marking the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

He said, "Violence against women and children is a matter of concern for the entire country. During the revolution, it is women and children who are the most vulnerable to violence offences of the intrinsically evil and brutal regime. We, the NUG, categorically condemn the violence committed by them and are trying to take effective action against them consistently."

He urged all to cooperate with activists for woman and child victims of violence in the country.

No organization should commit violence against women, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein of the Democratic Party told the CNI.

A campaign calling for the elimination of violence against women. (Htoi Gender Development Foundation)

She said, "If it is true, it is unacceptable. I am not blaming either side. It is unacceptable whichever sides commit violence against women. However, I don't know how it would take action against the offenders because I don't have contact with them. So, I can't say anything exactly."

Activists urged the people to launch a white ribbon campaign on the International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women, which falls on 25th November.

The Myanmar Women Organization issued a statement saying 111 domestic violent offences, 14 rapes committed by civilians, 16 rapes committed by soldiers and at least 3 sexual harassment cases were recorded since 1st February, 2021.

CNI News

26 Nov 2022

Clashes have erupted between the Myanmar military and the Kachin Independence Army in Hpakant since 23rd November.

Sporadic clashes have broken out in Hpakant and the military is launching operations in the township, Spokesperson Col Naw Bu of the KIA told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "Clashes have broken out in Hpakant sporadically. The military has also reinforced its troops in Bamaw and Moemauk. Fighting can erupt in the townships at any time.

Yesterday, fighting broke out in Hpakant. SAC troops are launching operations in Hpakant. The situation is not tense in other townships. SAC troops shot at the houses of the local residents and searched cars and motorbikes."

Due to the clashes, more than 1,000 people from Aung Kyaw Su, Kaung San, Thaung Kawt, Pinlaung and Whekhar villages from Seik Mu Village Tract have been displaced.

Fighting broke out between the Myanmar military and the KIA in Seik Mu in Hpakant, Ko Aung Khin, a local resident, told the CNI.

He said, "Fighting broke out in Saing Taung (Seik Mu) yesterday. The situation is very tense. The KIA said they do not go and launch attacks in Nay Pyi Taw and the military is launching operations in their native areas. People's Defence Forces want to fight against the military but they were not allowed to do so by the KIA. The PDFs are under the command of the KIA. The military has not launched airstrikes here."

Hpakant is a jade-mining town, where a large number of migrant workers live and work. The Myanmar military, the KIA and local militias are active in the area.

Fighting erupted in Hpakant, Bamaw, Moemauk and Tanai between the military and joint forces of the KIA and local PDFs.

CNI News

26 Nov 2022

Ta'ang National Liberation Army's message on Shan New Year Day is a good sign for the unity of endigenous ethnic groups in Shan State, Yein Hlian Han of Shan Human Right Foundation told the CNI.

As it sends a positive message, it is good for the future of Shan State, he added.

He said, "This is my personal opinion and it does not reflect the perspective of our organization. Sending a positive message to indigenous ethnic peoples is a good sign to the future of Shan State. We welcome the message to coexist with all indegenous peoples peacefully and unitedly in Shan State.

Palaung ethnic people

The TNLA message on the 2117th Shan New Year Day, which falls on 1st Waxing of Nattaw wished Shan ethnic people safety and health.

The message brings positive signs and will strengthen the unity between Shan and Ta'aung people, General Secretary Lay Poe Kamei Chai of the Ta'aung Women Organization told the CNI.
She said, "It is a positive sign and proof of unity . As it is a good time to ward off dictatorship and establish a federal union, I hope that the message will solidify the unity between Shan and Ta'aung People."

Shan ethnic people

Recently, the number of clashes among indigenous ethnic groups in Shan State has decreased and offered opportunities for peace, enhancing trust among one another, she added.
In Shan State, there are many ethnic groups including Ta'ang, Shan, Kachin, Chinese, Bamar, Wa, Kokant, Akhar, Danu, PaO, Lahu and Lisu and each ethnic group has their own armed organizations.

CNI News

26 Nov 2022

Labour activists for Myanmar migrants in Malaysia told the CNI that they hoped illegal migrants would be allowed to stay in Malaysia during the term of the new prime minister.

The general election was held in Malaysia on 19th November and veteran opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim became the new prime minister.

As Anwar made promises about foreign migrants during his election campaign, such hopes have sprung up, labour activists for Myanmar migrants told the CNI.

U Babu Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrants in Malaysia, told the CNI, "Factories and workshops are suffering labour shortages. There are not enough workers who officially come to Malaysia to solve the problem. Employers are not allowed to hire illegal migrant workers. They will be fined if authorities find out that they are employing illegal workers. So, I hope that the new government will allow illegal migrants to stay and work in Malaysia. I think they will surely do that. It will be good for illegal migrants. There are many Myanmar illegal migrants in Malaysia. They will be able to stay and work peacefully without worrying about arrests."

New Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (AFP)

Myanmar labour activists in Malaysia hope that the situation of migrant workers will improve as every new government in Malaysia does something or other for migrant workers and the new prime minister is a reformist.

He hopes for the best for refugees, an official from the Alliance of Chin refugees told the CNI.

He said, "The new prime minister was a prisoner in the past. We hope that he will be able to serve best for the country and foreign migrants. As for the refugee issue, Malaysia governments have been working with the UNHCR for many years. Last, Malaysian authorities held meetings with the world refugee body. I think they are working for the best of all."

Although the prime minister has been appointed, there will be delays to form a new government because of some political issues and security is still tightened, U Babu Gyi told the CNI.

Migrant Workers.

"We don't know exactly why security is still tightened. Although the prime minister has been appointed by the king, there is another rival of the prime minister. He has not formed a government by appointing ministers and deputy ministers. He has started going to the prime minister's office. We don't know who will be ministers because we don't understand their political systems. There may be misunderstandings, differences and divisions. A large number of people support the opposition. Therefore, we are urging undocumented workers not to go out."

During his election campaigns, the new prime minister made two promises about foreign migrants including resolving the issue of foreign migrants in Sabah State in eastern Malaysia and a better and faster process for hiring foreign workers.

CNI News

25 Nov 2022

As long as tourists are charged extra fees, the tourism sector of Myanmar will not develop, tour operators and hoteliers told the CNI.

They added that the practice should be ended for the development of the tourism sector.

Although domestic tourism has recovered after the COVID-19 outbreak, only a few foreign tourists have visited Myanmar, tour operators and hoteliers told the CNI.

Chairman U Zaw Zaw of Shan State (North) Hoteliers Association told the CNI, "Actually, we need to attract tourists by easing restrictions when the demand is very low. So, we need to ease restrictions on travel and entry because we are struggling to recover for nothing.  I have been discussing the issue for a long time. Entry fees and hotel charges in Myanmar are a lot more expensive than other countries but services we offer are not as good as other countries. I think foreign tourists will visit Myanmar if the government helps adjust the supply and demand. We need to take care of them properly since they arrive at the airport and charge reasonable prices."

Tourist arrivals in Thailand have increased dramatically in the post-COVID period because the government has allowed tour operators  to take initiatives on their own discretion, according to tour operators and hoteliers.

An archway to Mandalay.

Therefore, the Myanmar government should allow tour agencies to develop tour destinations and help them if necessary, they added.

A tour entrepreneur said, "Thailand has set a target on tourism earnings. The government does not pay lip service for the sector and helps pragmatically by investing millions of US dollars  in the sector. Thailand had more COVID-19 victims than Myanmar but tourists are still visiting the neighbouring country. When Singapore imposed strict restrictions on tourists, Thailand reopened tourism. So, tourists from many countries including Myanmar and Russia have been visiting Thailand to invest there because the situation in their countries is not conducive to new businesses. People get job opportunities when the country receives new foreign investments. People get construction jobs. Thailand has developed dramatically. It is also a military regime and the country has not always had peace. Oppositions are always staging protests. On the other hand, it has guaranteed businesses. So, the economy has never been disrupted. Tourists are visiting the country as usual and the country has developed."

Compared with Thailand, the tourism sector of Myanmar is completely different.

Tour destinations in Myanmar are more beautiful and pleasant than Thailand but only a few tourists visit Myanmar because of the failures to develop tour destinations and extra charges for tourists, according to tour operators and hoteliers.

Domestic tourists in Peikchinhnyaunf waterfalls in PyinOoLwin. 

Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI, "Some tour destinations have been developed but officials like the minister and director generals never try to study the situation on the ground. They work only in their offices. They have never experienced the situation on the ground. Our beaches are much more beautiful than Phuket, which has much more facilities than ours. However, our beaches are natural ones. And caves in Phowin Mountain and Shwe Wa Mountain are caves drilled in the 11th century. They are priceless. If we can highlight such destinations, they will have great potential. There are a lot of destinations for eco-tourism in Shan State. The Alaungdaw Kathapa is an interesting tour destination. Mountains in Shan State are not too high and suitable for hiking and trekking. There are many advantages for tourism in Myanmar."

If Myanmar fails to take measures to promote its tour destinations, foreign tourist arrivals will continue to fall as usual and will have an impact on foreign exchange earnings of the country, according to tour operators and hoteliers.

The tourism sector of Myanmar cannot develop relying alone on Russian tourists and the majority of tourists to Myanmar are Thais and the Chinese, who visit Myanmar are on business tours.

CNI News

25 Nov 2022

Although news has spread that exports of corn grown as one of the opium substitute crops to China would be permitted until December, it is still possible for exporters to continue export corn to companies approved by China through other means, according to Myanmar Corn Industrial Association.

Although the opium-substitute corn import target of China has met the target, corn can be exported to China through other means. As a result, the dateline will not no impact on the corn export prices and the border trade will continue to thrive, Vice Chairman U Thant Zin Tun of the MCIA told the CNI.  

An opium plantation.

He said, "China will stop importing corn from Myanmar as an opium-substitute crop but Myanmar can still export corn to China under the GACC , which allow imports of corn that meets the standards of the Chinese Customs."

China is importing opium-substitute crops from the border regions by setting targets  annually but it announced that it would import the crop until December, according to a corn trader in Shan State.

CNI News

23 Nov 2022

As Tamu in Sagaing Region is short of fuel supply, local residents have to make long queues at filling stations, according to local residents.

Fuel supply has been disrupted by difficulties for transportation for ten days, Ko Nyein Chan, a local resident of Tamu, told the CNI.

He said, "It is difficult to buy fuel in Tamu at present. Almost all filling stations have run out of fuel. Only one filling station is still selling fuel. So, everyone has to queue at the filling station. fuel supply to other filling stations have been disrupted. It has been about ten days since the fuel shortage started. It is difficult to buy fuel in Tamu."

The shortage also pushed up fuel prices, which rose from MMK 4,500 per gallon for Octane 92 to more than MMK 20,000 per gallon, Ko Khant Thu, another local resident, told the CNI.

An archway to Tamu.

He said, "In the past, we paid MMK 4,500 per gallon for Octane 92. The prices of Octane 92 have risen to MMK 22,500 per gallon. The prices of Octane 95 rose from MMK 5,000 to MMK 27,000."

Tamu is located in the border area with India but the south Asian country has shut down its borders recently at the moment.

Residents have faced transportation problems and high commodity prices due to the fuel shortage, Ko Nyein Chan told the CNI.

He said, "Commodity prices have also risen. Residents can't even buy eggs because of commodity shortages. We have to buy commodities which are not produced in our area from other areas. We are facing shortages of commodities that are not produced in our areas."

Local People's Defence Forces have warned against using the Kalay-Tamu road since 12th November due to military tensions and road closure was extended for another week on 20th November again.