CNI News

11 September 2024

Political and military analysts are reviewing how important Mandalay is to armed groups including the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

Mandalay is the capital of upper Myanmar and it is important to the two rival organizations in both dignity and propaganda, U Thein Tun Oo, director of the Institute for Thayninga Strategy Studies, told CNI News.

" Mandalay is the second capital city of Myanmar. If Mandalay is damaged because of one organization, its rival group can propagandize very well to attack. If the side that will defend can't control the city pretty well, it will lose its dignity. In my opinion, revolutionary forces still won't be able to attack Mandalay with a large operation in such a short time." he said.

While seeing Mandalay People's Defense Force

The opposition armed groups attacked the Middle Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Mandalay with 10 107 mm shock missiles on 3rd September 2024. 

Mandalay is located by the Ayeyarwady River and it is the main city where trading activities are being mainly conducted with northern and upper parts of the country, India and China.

Mandalay is the second capital of Myanmar and the National Unity Government (NUG) would carry out so as to capture the city without damaging it, said Zaw Wai Soe, Minister for Health of the NUG.

While seeing the moat of Mandalay City

" We have made preparations regarding Mandalay since before. In the preparation for the second wave of Operation-1027, preparation for around Mandalay and Pyin Oo Lwin were included. So, the second wave is strong. Mandalay is a city where the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) is strong. It's the second capital. There are consulates in the city. There is an international airport as well. There are lists and figures as well as storage for drugs and medical equipment necessary for the whole upper Myanmar. In the same way, there are  many things regarding telecommunication there as well. Without damaging these things, we have made preparations to seize control of this city in the best way. And we are still making preparations." he said.

During the second wave of Operation-1027, battles are breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition armed forces in Lashio, Kyaukme, Thibaw, Nawnghkio Townships, northern Shan State as well as in Mogok, Momeik, Sintku, Madaya and Thabeikkyin Townships, Mandalay Region.

It is said that battles might break out in Mandalay and many residents of the city are moving to Naypyidaw, Yangon and other regions.

CNI News

11 September 2024

Daily wages of the basic salary would be 400 bahts, but it would not be for every worker, those who carry out the issues of migrant workers told CNI News. 

Although there was a plan to raise until 400 bahts a day to the basic salary of every worker under the government led by former PM Srettha, under the current government led by new PM, the basic salary would be raised on the basis of limitation, reported the Bangkok Post.

" We still don't know about it in detail. The cabinet was formed just a few days ago. We still don't know the policies exactly. It was not written in their statement. The basic salary seems to be raised depending on place and job designated." said U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED).

Businessmen are worried that raising the basic salary will hurt businesses. Raising the basic salary was a campaign promise of the Pheu Thai Party. 

The party promised it would raise the basic salary any more of 400 bahts during the first year of the government's tenure and any more of 600 bahts would be raised in 2027.

While seeing a construction site in Thailand

Raising the basic salary was started a few days after Paetongtarn became PM. 

However, Minister for Labor expressed the basic salary should be raised in the companies and factories that have 200 workers and above. 

The basic salary should be equally raised for every worker, U Aung Kyaw from the Labor Right Foundation told CNI News.

" A minister said that the basic salary would be raised depending on the number of workers. This is the first time we experience. Every worker has to work eight hours a day. We want every worker to get pay raise equally." he said. 

The basic salary is between 330 and 370 bahts per day depending on province in Thailand.

However, workers in some workplaces are still being underpaid, which should be verified and supervised by the Thai authorities, pointed out those who carry out the issues of migrant workers.

CNI News

10 September 2024

7 EAO Alliance will hold the meeting of its steering team on 10th and 11th September, Col. Saw Kyaw Kyunt, spokesperson of the alliance, told CNI News. 

The three points of essence of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) - solving the political problem by political means; holding a political dialogue that contains all the stakeholders and protecting civilians - are being carried out, he said.

" We are meeting and discussing, maintaining three points of essence of the NCA, but it's still not very satisfactory while the political framework is narrow. But we are holding meetings of our steering committee. And we are discussing with international organizations every so often and organizations concerned as well as political parties, but not regularly. We have made preparations to hold the second meeting of the steering committee." said Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

The seven NCA signatories formed the 7 EAO Alliance on 18th March 2024 and is discussing with the peace delegation of the State Administration Council. 

While the NSPNC and NCA signatories were discussing

They had believed that solving the political problem by political means was the best and would go on carrying out in this way, Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

" To be honest, our means is the best. Some people might not agree with that. At any rate, as the 7 EAO Alliance, we have our own way. It hasn't emerged just now. As the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) since 2022, we have had political road map." he said.

The 7 EAO Alliance is made up of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the KNU/KNLA-Peace Council.

CNI News

10 September 2024

Malaysian businessmen and agencies have demanded the Malaysian Immigration to re-open the RTK 2.0 (RTK 2.0 stands for the Labour Recalibration Programme 2.0, a program in Malaysia that allows employers to legally employ foreign workers) Myanmar people in Malaysia told CNI News. 

It is the second time to demand because anything was not responded to the first demand; however, the immigration department has not responded anything yet, U Barbu Gyi, who helps to solve the issues of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

" RTK has the limited population. Because the department thought that the number of workers has been enough in the list released, the RTK 2.0 had been closed, I think. The number of workers has been limited since the start of RTK 2.0. But everyone can register in the RTK 2.0. And then, those who had broken the law are rejected. Since the start of RTK 2.0, the number of foreign workers had been released to apply in a company or a factory. But Myanmar agents accept every one who wants to apply. So, the number of workers rejected was so many ones." he said.

Although the Malaysian authorities has not responded anything to second time demand, brokers and agents have started working. So, Myanmar workers should inquire before applying for the RTK 2.0, suggested Myanmar people in Malaysia. 

While seeing a Malaysian immigration office

Moreover, because the Malaysian citizens complained, foreign migrant workers were arrested and documented workers only were hired. 

So, foreign workers faced scarcity of jobs. However, because the Malaysian citizens did not work pretty well, foreign workers had to be hired again. So, it is a bit convenient for foreign workers to get jobs, U Aung, chairman of Yadana Sekka Funeral Service, told CNI News.

" I've heard the authorities are discussing. But they haven't released an announcement. It was very difficult for foreign workers from February to June this year. But after July, it was convenient again because many foreign workers had gone back to their native countries. Moreover, the Malaysian citizens were able to work for a few months. So, foreign workers got the jobs the Malaysian citizens didn't want to. The Malaysian government took action in accordance with the demand of the Malaysian people. But the Malaysian people couldn't work effectively. So, foreign workers had to be hired again. The Malaysian PM Anwar seems to tell his citizens so. Later, the Malaysian citizens have complained just a little." he said.

When a passport is applied in Malaysia at present, it has reportedly been costlier than before. Moreover, because those who want to go abroad have been restricted, there has been an increase in the number of workers who enter Malaysia from Thailand.

CNI News

6 September 2024

Restriction of people at the border gates could benefit the illegal market more and prices could rise, those who help in the issues of migrant workers and philanthropic associations told CNI News.

Not only were those who would go abroad by flight restricted, if those who would go abroad through border gates were also restricted, more people would lead to illegal channel;  restriction like that was not an answer, In charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), U Min Oo told CNI News.

" It's not an answer at all. It's because of a wrong management. Without considering the situations taking place in other countries, because restrictions are conducted, the people are suffering difficulties. The people are pushed towards illegal channels. Those who would go abroad with PJ and PV were gradually tightened to leave only if they had OWIC and smart cards. And then, they are left with border pass alone. If this is restricted, people will leave the country through illegal channels. If that's so, brokerages will go up by double or three times." he said.

At a Myawaddy border gate, a Thai-Myanmar border gate, the Myanmar side has allowed border pass book holders and MoU workers only to pass and PV holders have been banned, according to local philanthropic associations.

Moreover, those who will enter Thailand with a border pass have to guarantee that they will come back, an official from Alinthit philanthropic association told CNI News.

While seeing a Myanmar-Thailand border gate

" As the border pass has allowed people to stay in Thailand, border pass holders can enter and exit regularly. Those who have PVs and passports have been banned from leaving the country. Border pass holders must guarantee that they will come back. For example, if they go by car, the car owner has to guarantee that the passengers will come back to Myanmar." he said.

The news came out that men between 18 and 35 who have held border pass books had been banned from leaving the country at Kawthaung-Ranong border gate for a few days. But they can go and come regularly now.

Although CNI News contacted the immigration office by phone to know more about it, it was not able to get in touch with the office. Restriction of border gates can make those who will go on business or for medical treatment more difficult, pointed out people.

CNI News

6 September 2024

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council, went to Loikaw in Kayah State and Sesai and Taunggyi in southern Shan State where battles broke out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and opposition armed groups and there are military tensions, reported the SAC on 4th September 2024.

He discussed with officials concerned about the matters relating to territorial peace and stability that were being carried out as well as supervised and instructed reconstruction tasks of Sesai and Loikaw that were damaged by battles.

Because the Karen National Defense Force (KNDF) and local PDF waged the battles to capture Loikaw City, battles broke out severely between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and joint forces.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing was in Sesai Town

Moreover, because the KNDF and the PDF attacked Sesai to capture it, battles severely broke out between the KNDF/the PDF joint forces and the Myanmar Tatmadaw/the Pa-O militia (PNO).

Because of these battles, towns were damaged and it is necessary to reconstruct them. 

At present, there are military tensions between the Myanmar Tatmadaw/the PNO and the KNDF/the PDF.

CNI News

5 September 2024

There are some questions among the public and political analysts about the security condition in Mandalay where it was attacked by shock missiles. 

Opposition forces attacked the Central Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Mandalay with 10 shock missiles at about 4:00 am, they stated.

7 shock missiles were successfully shot and the Tatmadaw's soldiers suffered casualties, released the opposition forces and the State Administration Council did not release anything about it. 

Attacking Mandalay by shock missiles worried the public and made the city unstable. In this way, opposition forces tried to win the military advantage, director of the Institute for Thayninga Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

" The peace and stability of a town or city depend on the people who are living in the town. Attacking the town by shock missiles makes the people there scared at least. In some way, the people might flee to safety. The opposition forces tried to win the military advantage by making the town unstable." he said.

While the U Bein Bridge in Mandalay

During the attack, some shock missiles fell onto the residential area and some people and houses were damaged. 

After rumor has it that battles could break out in Mandalay, many residents of the city are moving to Naypyidaw, Yangon and other regions in advance to avoid battles.

If battles were waged to capture Mandalay, the PDF troops probably would lead the battles, U Kyi Myint, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

 " The PDF forces will lead the military operation this time. As the rest groups were announced as terrorist groups, it's no wonder if they take part in the battles to capture Mandalay with the PDF." he said.

During the second wave of Operation-1027 launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, battles broke out in the towns, northern Shan State as well as in Mogok, Sintku, Madaya and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region.

At present, battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the PSLF/TNLA joint forces in Taungkhan near Pyin Oo Lwin.

CNI News

5 September 2024

Although the Central Bank of Myanmar tends to sell out foreign currencies when the commodity prices go up because of a lack of foreign currencies, it can cure in the short term only; businessmen are asking the question 'up to what time will the Central Bank be able to sell out foreign currencies?'

At present, rather than making the Myanmar economy look up, priority must be mainly given to curing; because the State Administration Council has announced that it will hold a general election, political parties should explain to the public about economic policies, U Aung Pyit Sone, a businessman, told CNI News.

" The government should reduce the short term cure regarding foreign currencies. Our country currently doesn't have a good economic situation in which everyone is struggling. So, there are lots of difficulties left with us to re-cure the country's economy. What policies will the current government use to re-cure the country's economy? What policies will a government which will come to power beyond the election use to re-cure the economy? Large political parties should explain their policies to the public. Only if the people know them in advance, will they make preparations for what they should." he said.

While seeing dollars

The Central Bank could sell out foreign currencies to an extent; foreign currencies could be got from foreign investments and international loans and the government should invite foreign investments, pointed out businessmen.

However, due to unstable situations in the country at present, although it was quite difficult to make foreign investments enter the country, the government should have policies to tackle the problem, they suggested. 

it was necessary to think about the main subject thoroughly and carry out. If the government goes on like this for long, it would be worn down gradually, U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert, told CNI News.

While seeing a greengrocer

" Mainly, it's necessary to make the economic atmosphere good. Some issues can be automatically resolved if the economic and the political atmospheres are good. It's necessary to think about the main course thoroughly. In macroeconomy, one area is related to another and one place is related to another. If you can't think about the main economic system, one problem or another will emerge. We want those concerned to resolve the problem successfully. Otherwise, the country will be worn down gradually." he said.

Because the commodity prices were going up while there had been an increase in the demand of foreign currencies, a police had been laid down to maintain the use of foreign currencies; only if the economy was good, would the politics be good; so every citizen was responsible to make the country's economy good, said chairman of the SAC in the meeting held in Yangon on 1st September 2024.

CNI News

5 September 2024

Authorities concerned must carefully carry out so as not to enable armed groups that entered towns and villages by force and were staying in those places to use the local people, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above while he was meeting with members of Shan State as well as state and district level departmental officials on 3rd September 2024.

Some EAOs took advantage of political crises taking place in the country and were trying to expand territories; because of their terrorist acts, local people had to flee to safety after leaving their houses and properties, he said.

While seeing the MNDAA force

" Armed groups are using houses of the people and civilian administrative facilities to defend the Tatmadaw's counter-offensives and persuading those who temporarily displaced to come back so that they can use the people as human shields. Moreover, they are recruiting by force. The Tatmadaw will have to protect the sovereignty of the State without fail and respond in accordance with the necessity, depending on receiving information and all situations. So, local people in the places where armed groups are staying by force need to be careful to ensure that the people are not used by the armed groups and to be safe." said chairman of the SAC.

The State and the Tatmadaw are making efforts so as to regain the peace and stability throughout the country as soon as possible, he said. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD government on 1st February 2021, saying that the NLD was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute and took the power.

While seeing the TNLA force

After that, leaders of the NLD and the NLD members of the Hluttaw led and formed the National Unity Government (NUG) and the People's Defense Force and then in collaboration with the KIA, the AA, the TNLA, the MNDAA, the KNU, the KNPP, and the CNF, the NUG/the PDF is carrying out to overthrow the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

At present, battles are severely breaking out throughout the country between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and armed groups. 

Because of battles, the number of IDPs has been over one million and houses, buildings, state-owned offices and schools are being damaged.