CNI News

14 August 2023

Parties that have not got registered have not been able to campaign yet, said political parties. 

The Union Election Commission (UEC) had forbidden the right to meet with their party members and If a multi-party democratic system was practiced, UEC would have to support to make the political parties strong, said U Ko Ko Gyi, chairman of the People's Party (PP) to CNI News.

" If we are going to practice a multi-party democratic system, authorities must allow the parties to campaign and support to make the parties strong. If we are not disturbed at least, we can speak freely in public. Even normal procedures of a legal party like ours are forbidden. For example, when I presented to hold a party meeting in Taikkyi, we were forbidden since the registration is still being verified. In the instructions of the previous commission, we would need to let them know if we held a party meeting in our office without asking permission from them. We let them know that we would hold a party meeting, but we were forbidden." he said.

The office of the union election commission

UEC released laws and regulations relating to re-registration of political parties on 31st January 2023 and asked the parties to re-register within 60 days. 

Authorities were responsible to make political parties strong if a multi-party system was practiced, said U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party to CNI News.

" In fact, authorities are responsible to make political parties strong if the multi-party politics is practiced. Only when political parties are strong, the people will trust and rely on the political process. But in the current situation, there are more restrictions on political parties. Any more of restrictions might be coming. Political parties are facing with a very difficult situation, I comment like that." he said.

A list of political parties and UEC stamp

At present, although 12 political parties have registered, seven parties only got registrations and the rest five parties are under scrutiny, said UEC to CNI News.

" There are questions and discussions among political parties in relation to what policies the current UEC is applying. As.a matter of fact, we don't find in the laws and regulations that legal parties must suspend their processes." said U Ko Ko Gyi.

At present, the People's Party (PP),  the Arakan National Party (ANP) and Mon Unity Party have registered as the parties that will organize all over the country, but they have not got registrations reportedly.

CNI News
12 August 2023

United Overseas Bank, one of Singapore's major banks, would carry out operations with Myanmar banks on a limited basis from 1st September on, that Nikkei Asia News Agency reported.

UOB is used most to transfer money received from Myanmar trade and other businesses and salaries of Myanmar migrant workers in Singapore.

Although UOB suspends operations with Myanmar banks, other banks in Singapore could be connected and used and only when all the banks in Singapore took action like UOB, there could be difficulties, said U Htay Aung Kyi, a banking expert to CNI News.

A bank transfer

" I have deposited my money at UOB. The bank can't seize my money. But they have the rights not to transit my money. UOB doesn't allow me to transit, but DBS allows me to transit. If that's so, I'll change and deposit my money at DBS. There will be no problem if there's one or two banks that we can transit. If all the banks in Singapore suspend operations with Myanmar banks, we can find it difficult. Another thing is prospect. Singapore is third biggest financial hub in the world after London and New York. Will the Singaporean government take accountability for the case relating to UOB? Singapore has a lot of overseas banks. Among them, which bank are you working with most? There's a problem with that bank. But if you can work with other banks, it's no problem. Just change. Changing from a bank to another is no difficulty at all in a foreign country like Singapore." he said.

All deposits and withdrawals through banks in Myanmar will be limited by UOB and transferring money can be performed between the UOBs only. Moreover, Visa card and
Master card will be controlled that the bank reported last week, according to Nikkei Asia news agency.

Because money transfers to private banks in Myanmar through UOB are limited, it could impact on money transfers of Myanmar migrant workers, said businessmen.

However, because there are other banks and financial service agents that can be used alternatively, there might be a little difficulty only reportedly. When international community imposes economic sanctions on Myanmar, restrictions on private businesses should not be done with the government's bank accounts, said U Thet Zaw, an economic analyst to CNI News.

" It is their policy to close the government accounts, but they shouldn't restrict the private sector. But other banks still can be used. There are about 15 overseas banks in Singapore. We have to change and use. For example, like oil, if Petronas left, another oil company would come. Just like that." he said.  

Foreign currency accounts opened at the UOB branch in Hong Kong to make the trading activities fast and easy will be controlled and UOB is a bank that senior officials of the State Administration Council and wealthy entrepreneurs are mainly using, according to Niikkei Asia.

CNI News

12 August 2023

They will review the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), said Col. Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) to CNI News. 
The NCA had been void, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu at the 100th day press conference held on 10th August after the 17th congress of the Karen National Union (KNU). 

They would discuss about the speech that the NCA had been void and he didn't want to comment on that, said Col. Khum Okka.

" We are discussing about that today (11th August). I don't want to comment on that now. We are working on what to write. I'll send it if it's finished. We are a little seriously preparing. Sawta Nee also had told the speech like that in the past. We had responded at that time. We had explained to Sawta Nee. But he hasn't worked there. Now that general secretary has revealed, it could be a policy mistake. So, we are preparing systematically. I don't want to comment immediately." he said.

The NCA signing ceremony

After the Tatmadaw took power on 1st February, 2021, the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the Chin National Front (CNF), the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) submitted letters of resignation from the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) and reduce their cooperation levels.

The NCA had been void because the Tatmadaw took power, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the KNU.

" In all ages, the nation building has been done in a top-down approach that did not work. We have all gained experience through life. I want to say that it is important to build the foundation strongly from the bottom up. Because the Tatmadaw has taken power, the NC.A has been void at the same time that I want to say." he said

The Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front (CNF), All Burma Students Democratic Front, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) signed the NCA on 15th October,2015.

After that, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the NCA on 13th February, 2018.

At present, battles are breaking out between KNU, CNF, ABSDF and the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

August 11, 2023

As the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) had been void, there was no need to follow the NCA, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU). 

He said as above at the press conference on the KNU's 100 day program on 10th August, 2023.

" We don't need to follow the NCA any more because basic principle mentioned in the Chapter 1, heart of the NCA, was crushed and damaged by the Tatmadaw. The NCA is no more. So, Fooling international or the people by using the NCA doesn't belong to us at all." he said.

There are eleven points in the basic principle mentioned in the chapter-1 of the NCA. 

8 armed organizations including KNU were signing the NCA on 15th October, 2015

Among them, (a) Orienting non-disintegration of the union, non-disintegration of the national solidarity and perpetuation of the national sovereignty, based on freedom, equal rights and justice, in accordance with the Panglong Spirit, the union that is based on democratic and federal systems and that fully guarantees democracy, national equal rights and self-determination rights will be established in accordance with the results from the political discussions.

Moreover, in (b),To give a priority to the nationwide ceasefire in order to end armed conflicts for many decades, having established a new political culture that will solve the political problem with political method without solving with the military method, has been imposed.

"In striving to establish a union based on democratic and federal systems, ethnic armed conflicts breaking out are the main stumbling blocks and in relation to ethnic rights, to carry out in accordance with the realities of the current country, thinking long term is needed." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing while he was meeting with union ministers on 8th August, 2023.

Moreover, he would perform peace processes in line with the NCA, he said.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The Tatmadaw has pointed out that some NCA signatories _ the Karen National Union and the Chin National Front (CNF) are violating provisions mentioned in chapter-3 of the NCA. 

The Karen National Union (KNU), the Chin National Front (CNF), All Burma Students Democratic Front, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), the KNU/KNLA Peace Council (KPC) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) signed the NCA on 15th October,2015.

After that, the New Mon State Party (NMSP), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU) signed the NCA on 13th February, 2018. At present, in collaboration with the People's Defense Forces (PDF), KNU, CNF, ABSDF and KIA are fighting against the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

11 August 2023

Since some parts of New Asia Highway between Myawady and Kawkareik were damaged due to heavy rain on 7th August. Sending Mou workers to Thailand has been suspended, said overseas employment agencies to CNI News.    

Agencies that left on 7th August to send MoU workers had to  temporarily stay at the nearby monasteries and if impossible, they would probably come back to Yangon, said agencies. 

Because Myawaddy-Kawkareik New Asia road is the main trade route apart from sending MoU workers, agencies have expected the government to solve the problem in some way.  

" Some agencies and MoU workers who left on 7th August were stranded on the way there. But the youths I have to send were just in Yangon on that day. 

Destruction of New Asia Highway

So, I asked them to go home. I'll send them only when the road has been repaired already. A bridge on the old road has broken. Agencies haven't used the old road for long. The old road is worse than before. We were able to use the old road only one day for going or coming. The people who will be sent any more have to use another route. They have to change to the route going to Ranong-Kawthaung. For the time being, a temporary bridge will be built for the people only to pass, I think. I have told the youths who will go to Thailand and Malaysia to take their time." said Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of the Pwint Phu Aung Overseas Employment Agency.   
 
Small vehicles have been allowed to pass through mountain old road between Myawady and Kawkareik since the night of 8th August reportedly. Agencies said that they would not send  their MoU workers because not only they have not used the old road for long and it's also not safe to use it. 

MoU workers can be sent by flight or using the Kawthaung-Ranong route. But those routes would cost MoU workers any more, said agencies to CNI News.

MoU workers who will go to Thailand

"It will be delayed because no one asks you to walk down to the bottom of the mountain. If there's anything wrong, the agency will be taken action against. So, all the agencies are waiting to permit them to send the workers by flight. If they didn't get permission, they would have to use the Kawthaung- Ranong route. If that's so, they have to ask permission again for a new route. The organizations that will come and meet from the Thai side have to ask permission again from the Thai labor ministry. So, we have to watch the situation for a few days. The department has asked us to collect the air ticket fees from the workers" said U Win Myint, managing director of the Lucky Overseas Employment Agency.

The government would build a temporary bridge at the part of the road that collapsed, said the information department of the State Administration Council. Part of the road that collapsed is 200 feet long and 35 feet deep. It could take one week or two week to finish building the bailey bridge reportedly.

CNI News

11 August 2023

Western part of Banmauk Township, upper Sagaing Region has started being stable, but the People's Defense Force (PDF) and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) are still cutting off food for the town, said Banmauk residents.

In the past, the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) was active in Banmauk Township.
But KIA/ PDF joint forces penetrated the township and then battles broke out between the two sides after which KIA/PDF have influenced most of the territory. 

After that most of locals from the western part of Banmauk Township had to displace. After KIA/PDG withdrew, currently, the western part has started being stable, said a local.

Entrance to Banmauk Town

" We can say that it is peaceful in comparison with that PDFS were here before. When they were here, SNA came and fought to regain its territory. And the Tatmadaw also came here. So, it was not peaceful here. But PDFs have left. Although they have left, they come back and fight. But  the situation is not so bad. Not very long ago, the Tatmadaw came and attacked with an airplane. After that it's been more stable. Battles break out every so often. But it's not that bad any more. For the time being, we can say it's stable. Schools have reopened. The schools in the western part are opening self-supporting types." he said.

At  present, KIA/PDF have controlled the southern part and northern part of Banmauk and allowed the flow of commodities in those parts. 
So, if a barrel of oil is paid  600,000 kyats in the south and north parts, it is paid 800,000 kyats in the town and western part, he said. 
The flow of commodities through Banmauk has been cut by KIA/PDF and they have destroyed the main road with heavy machineries, said a Banmauk resident to CNI News.

Houses and rice in Kyaung Le Village burned by KIA/PDF 

" PDFs don't let the commodities enter here. Fuel and foodstuff are not allowed. But commodities have to be imported without making them know. If they catch you, you'll have to pay the fine. If they catch you carry the goods on a motorcycle, you have to pay 50,000 kyats for the fine. Some people who carry the goods without their knowledge are beaten. They have destroyed the main road with backhoes. Banmauk-Indaw road has been destroyed as well like this. The road between Banmauk and southern part also has been destroyed. You can't go to southern part and western part. They have created to enable cars not to go easily. They have allowed us to send food and oil to the southern villages. They have cut off the town only. The army has been deployed in the town." he said.

KIA/PDF set fire to over 30 houses in Kyaung Le VIllage at the end of July, said locals. 
Because the battles are breaking out between the two sides and public roads have been blocked, the flow of commodities is stopping and foodstuff also are scarce there reportedly.

Moreover, due to the battles that arose from the political changes, about ten thousand locals have displaced reportedly.

CNI News

11 August 2023

Flood arose from ceaseless rain, which damaged about ten thousands acres of rain-fed rice, said farmers. 

Rainfed rice that has been grown in Kyauk Taw, Mrauk U, Min Pya and Ponna Kyun townships which are located along Lay Myo, Kaladan and Ma Yu rivers was sunk in water and damaged, said farmers from Rakhine.

About ten thousand acres of rainfed rice could be damaged by the flood in Mrauk U Township where there are more than one hundred thousand acres of rainfed rice, said U Maung Thein Hla, secretary of the Danyawadi Farmers Federation to CNI News.

" Rice plantations to the west of the Yangon-Sittwe road are not badly damaged, but the plantations to the east of the road are badly damaged. The plants are no more in some places. There are about 120,000 acres of rice and of them, about ten thousand acres of rice have been damaged. Now the farmers there are preparing to plant rice again." he said.

Flood taking place

There are about 750,000 acres of rainfed rice planted in Rakhine State this year and although rice can be planted in the places damaged, because rice to be transplanted was damaged due to the Mocha cyclone, currently it is difficult to find the rice to be transplanted, said farmers from Rahine State.
Because it was raining ceaselessly in Rakhine State on 2nd August,  water level of the Kaladan River raised and about half of the rainfed rice acres in Kyauktaw Township was possibly damaged, U Maung Tui, a farmer from Kyauktaw Township to CNI News.

" Damage seems to be a lot. 50 percent or so will be damaged, I think. 80 percent of my rice plantation has been damaged. I think I'll grow rice again." he said.

Flooding in Minbya Township, Rakhine

In the same way, as it was raining ceaselessly in Bilin, Paung and Thaton Townships in Mon State a few days ago, Bilin River flooded and rainfed rice was sunk. 

Short-term rice only could be grown at the places that were sunk. But if it rains heavily again, rice can be ruined," said Ko Lwin Aye, a farmer from Paung Township to CNI News.

"Rice that was sunk is largely dies. Rice plantations in Kyauk Yedwin and Tamar Baung were badly damaged. When the water declines, short term rice can be grown. But you can't take it for granted. We get much rain in July and August." he said.

Relevant governments have not recorded in relation to the damage of rainfed rice in Mon and Rakhine State, said farmers. Relevant ministries record the amount of rainfed rice damaged and should provide the farmers with necessary aids, said farmers.

CNI News

10 August 2023

 As the National Unity Government had said that 2023 would be the decisive year in the civil war, There are discussions and reviews among politicians from local and abroad whether it will come true or not. 

Armed conflicts between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/ PDF joint forces are taking place widely throughout the country.

There would be no victory or defeat from the current battles and armed revolution would take long, said U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party) to CNI News.

 A PDF comrade (NUG-fb)

"There will be no victory or defeat, I think. NUG won't be able to defeat the whole large Tatmadaw except making the people get into trouble. And the Tatmadaw won't be able to get rid of about a hundred EAOs in one go. So, the great armed revolution will take long, I think so." he said.

Now It is the time when the whole public is waging the final battle in all possible ways, opening all fronts _ military, financial, foreign affairs, the public movement, psychological warfare fronts, said in the letter sent by the NUG to the ceremony of the 35th annual commemoration of the 8888 Uprising.

" No one can say when this revolution will end. But you have to do what you have to. We need to fight with speed and momentum to make our revolution stronger while the military group is weak." said Khun Tun Myint, chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) to CNI News.

The NUG said that 2023 was the decisive year of the Spring Revolution at the press conference relating to the review on a full year of the people's revolutionary war and laying down the procedures to be performed held on 7th October 2022.

Currently, Battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and some EAOs/PDFs joint forces in Kayin, Kayah, Chin States, Sagaing and Magway Regions.

CNI News

10 August 2023

The main stumbling blocks which prevent building a union that is based on democracy and federalism are ethnic armed conflicts, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council. 

He said that as above while he was meeting with officials from the union ministries on 8th August 2023.

Democracy means democratic governance and federalism means a union that combines with federal authority. Because a variety of ethnic people live in Regions and States, when implementing the federalism, it must be carried out on the basis of the region instead of the race, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

" Federal rights have been granted in the constitution. You may know it if you study the constitution. As the constitution has been enacted in accordance with the people's desire after a referendum was held, If it is consistent with the will of the people, in order to amend the points that should be amended the Tatmadaw has agreed." he said. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing meeting with the members of the union government

It was necessary to combine the democratic governance with federal rights in a balanced manner, said chairman of the SAC.

" In order to build a union based on democracy and federalism, the main stumbling blocks are armed ethnic conflicts taking place. In relation to ethnic rights, it is necessary to carry out, thinking long term in accordance with the realities of the current country." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Nine new objectives will be implemented after the SAC and the union government were reshuffled and the first point is to cement a disciplined, genuine multiparty democratic system and build a Union based on democratic and federal systems. Second point is to perform emphatically in line with the agreements from the NCA for. 

the perpetual peace in the whole country. Third point is to carry out emphatically to enjoy the safety of socioeconomic life of the people and to fully achieve the peace and stability, and rule of law in the entire union.

However, at present, Myanmar people cannot use enough electricity and they are suffering from high prices of basic foods. 
Moreover, transportation is not safe and job opportunity is scarce. Moreover, the people are suffering from monetary inflation and there is no rule of law.