CNI News

6 October 2023

Arming militia worsens conflict, said Col.Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) to CNI News. 

Arming militia can accelerate the current conflict and the conflict could not be reduced sort of and it was necessary to help the IDPs that arose from the conflict, he said.  

"This is a nationwide policy of the Tatmadaw. The Tatmadaw armed the militia in northern Shan State to fight against the TNLA. In the same way,an it armed the Shanni militia to fight against the KIA/PDF joint forces. There are many militias in southern Shan State such as the Pa-O militia and the Homein militia. These, after all, can accelerate the conflict which cannot be reduced. When the conflict cannot be reduced, NCA signatories have to be providing the IDPs who arisen from the conflict with food, medicine and security. The NCA signatories want just peace and no conflict. So, they have a little chance to deal with the bad consequences of the conflict. They are looking for humanitarian assistance." said Khun Okka.

While the Tatmadaw is arming the Banmauk Myoma Militia

The Tatmadaw is training and arming the militias across the country and for the time being, it is arming the Namhkam Myoma militia in northern Shan State, the militias in Bago Region, the Banmauk Myoma militia in Sagaing Region. 

The Tatmadaw is training and arming the militias in Banmauk and the Banmauk militias are conducting security patrols, said a Banmauk resident to CNI News.

" The other day, I saw militias or Pyu Saw Hti who were conducting a patrol. They had held semi-auto rifles. Only corporals had held automatic rifles. They are about 20 forces. The uniform is not like the military green. it is a little yellowish color. Their boots were not muddy." he said.

While Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing is meeting with leaders of the militias in northern Shan State

The Tatmadaw and locals needed to cooperate for the territorial security and the Tatmadaw needed to fully arm the militias who were trained, said Min Zay Thant, leader of the Shaduzut militia, to CNI News.

“A lot of help from the local people who know the local geography very well are needed for the territorial security. The region will be peaceful if the locals hold the weapons with maintaining discipline in collaboration with the Tatmadaw. It is mainly necessary to hold the weapons systematically. The militias need modern weapons. Currently, we are facing with the enemy who has a lot of arms and ammunitions in our region." he said.

At present, There are community-based militia, indigenous militia and the militia that transformed from EAOs and they are conducting joint operations with the Tatmadaw.

CNI News

6 October 2023

Although the basic reference price has been designated as 1,300,000 to 1,500,000 kyats for 100 baskets of rice paddy, because traders and rice mills buy rice paddy at the price under basic reference price, farmers are unavoidably selling at the price under basic reference rate reportedly.

Although Myanmar Rice Federation has designated 1,300,000 to 1,500,000 kyats for 100 baskets of Aemahta rice paddy, a kind of rough rice, traders and rice mills pay only at the price under basic reference rate by reason of transportation charges. Basic reference price is the one for the rice paddy that arrives at the mill.

So, farmers currently get only between  1,200,000 and 1,300,000 kyats for 100 baskets due to the transportation charges, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, to CNI News.

"They buy rice paddy at that price when it arrives at the mill. Transportation charges depend on the distance or on easiness or difficulty. So, some farmers get only 1,200,000 kyats. Some get 1,300,000 kyats. The highest price some farmers get is 1,400,000 kyats." he said.

People reaping rice paddy

Although 100 baskets of rice paddy are designated as 46 pounds according to international standard, 100 baskets are designated as 50 to 55 pounds and being bought in practice. 

At present, it is the period when Aemahta, type of rough rice appear and Aemahta is being bought in 18 townships in Ayeyarwady Region including Kyangin, Myan aung, Ingapu, Lemyethna, Yegyi, Kyaunggon, Hinthada, Zalun, Danubyu, Kyonpyaw, Einme and Pantanaw.

Because the Myanmar Rice Federation has designated the basic reference price, it is responsible to take action against the purchasing at the price under the basic reference price, said a farmer from Hinthada Township to CNI News. 

" It depends the yield of rice paddy. If the yield is less, we make a loss. Inputs such as fertilizer are expensive. Harvest fees are also about 1,300,000 kyats. If the practical price is under 1,300,000 kyats, who will be responsible for that. If a statement is released, those who release the statement need to take responsibility. If there's no action, who will comply?" he said.  

Although the current price is beneficial to farmers, the farmers whose rice paddy yield is less can make a loss, said farmers.

Moreover, most of the farmers are facing with lots of losses due to heavy rain this year.

CNI News

5 October 2023

The State Administration Council (SAC) intended to hold the 8th anniversary celebration of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement because it wanted to relax its political and military crises, said Duwa Lashi La, acting president of the National Unity Government. 

He said the above at the 32nd meeting of the NUG. The NCA has been void, he added.

" We have a lot of things to focus on relating to the revolution. Everybody knows that the military council, our enemy, is trying to hold the NCA 8th anniversary celebration. They will hold the anniversary because they want to relax their political and military crises as possible as they can. So, they are trying to deceive some ethnic leaders. Moreover, they will surely try to break the unity between the NUG and ethnic forces. We need to pay special attention to this." said Duwa Lashi La.

Former President U Thein Sein andEAO former chairman of the KNU

The 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA would be held on 15 October 2023 and NCA signatories, NCA non-signatories and foreign countries had been invited to attend the event, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC.

Because the Tatmadaw has taken the power on 1 February 2021, the NCA has been void, said Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU) that has signed the NCA at a news conference held on 10 August 2023.

However, the NCA was approved at the Hluttaw and was signed before the local and international witnesses, so it would never be void, said the SAC. Those who said that the NCA has been void have not officially resigned from the NCA and the NCA liaison offices are operating, said Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO).

 NSPNC Seven NCA signatories and NSPNC delegates

At present, among the NCA signatories, KNU, the Chin National Front (CNF) and the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) are at the battles against the Tatmadaw. 
Whether the NCA is void or not depends on the attitude of the organizations and currently, because the battles are breaking out on the ground, the SAC is finding it difficult, said U Kun Gawng Aung Kham, a Kachin politician, to CNI News.

 "I've never seen that PDFs and revolutionary organizations are unitedly fighting against the Tatmadaw throughout the country like that. It is the strongest revolutionary attack since 1988. So these are things to think about. What will happen will depends on how to perform." he said.

The resistance has become very strong after the Tatmadaw took power and international pressure has increased rather than previous coups, said U Tun Aung Kyaw, member of the policy steering committee of the Arakan National Party, to CNI News.

"In comparison with the coups in 1962 and 1988, when the Tatmadaw took power, the resistance is very stronger and so is international pressure, i think." he said.

At present, some EAOs/PDF joint forces are fighting against the Tatmadaw to topple down. On the other hand, the SAC is making arrangements to magnificently hold the 8th anniversary celebration of the NCA after it has invited over 1,000 people.

CNI News
October 4, 2023

Everyone involved in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement has been invited to attend the 8th Anniversary Celebration of the NCA, said the NCA 8th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee, to CNI News.

The 8th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee of the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee is making arrangements in order to hold the event that falls on 15 October 2025 magnificently and with a political essence.

Heads of State, members of Union-level organizations, individuals from the government and EAOs who signed the NCA, individuals local and abroad who signed as witnesses have been invited to attend the event, said the celebration steering committee.

Saw Mutu Say Poe, former chairman of the KNU who signed the NCA and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing met on 30 September 2023

Moreover, NCA non-signatory EAOs, foreign diplomats, ethnic representatives, peace mediators, other people who should participate and NGO/INGOs have been invited as well, it said.

EAOs that signed the NCA, individuals and organizations who discussed and provided assistance to arise the NCA have been seriously invited, said the celebration steering committee, to CNI News.

Saw Mutu Say Poe, former chairman of the KNU who signed the NCA and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing met on 30 September 2023

CNI News

October 4, 2023

11 Kokang Business people who were attending the trade fair that was held in Lincang Township, Yunnan Province, China were arrested by the Chinese police on 1 October 2023, said the people close to the incident, to CNI News. 
The Chinese Police arrived in the hotel where the 11 Kokang business people were staying and broke the doors and arrested the business people reportedly.

As the Jiangchuang District Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry invited the Kokang Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Kokang business people attended the trade fair. Kokang business people who were arrested are Wei Ching Tao, Liu Zhainci, Yang Laopi, Deng Jeeta, Jiu Shaokaik, Wing Chauk Nain, Hsu Hongshan, Lee Arphoo, Liu Su Nain, Che Aihua and Peeling Kor.

Over 1000 Chinese online gamblers were being handed over to China by the United Wa State Army on 6th September, 2023

Because those arrested were considered to break the Chinese laws and regulations, Chinese police detained them and investigating the cases in accordance with the law, said in a letter sent by China to Myanmar. China and Myanmar are cooperating to crack down on Chinese online gambling (Kyar Phyant) and a lot of arrests are being conducted in Kokang and Wa regions in Myanmar. So, it is said that those arrested might be related to the online gambling.

Chinese government probably will arrest those who are doing business of Kyar Phyant anymore because China views Kyar Phyant as a thing that can damage its national security, said a person close to China.

CNI News

4 October 2023

If the difficulties of Myanmar workers who have been abroad could be resolved by Myanmar embassies concerned, the workers are likely to remit 25 percent of their basic salary to their families in Myanmar, said the people helping Myanmar migrant workers, to CNI News.

Among Myanmar citizens who are abroad, some are convenient while others are uncomfortable with difficulties. As Myanmar embassies concerned are weak in helping to solve the difficulties, those inconvenient don't want to remit 25 percent of their basic salary reportedly.

So, Myanmar embassies concerned could resolve the difficulties Myanmar citizens are facing with, the workers probably will remit 25 percent that he thought, said U Barbu Gyi, a person helping Myanmar citizens in Malaysia, to CNI News.

While seeing Myanmar citizens who will go abroad for work in front of a labor office in Myanmar

" there are many Myanmar people who have lost both their money and their passports at present. There is no organization that will go on helping to solve the problems. If Myanmar embassies helped to solve the problems, there are many young Myanmar people who will remit 25 percent. If not so, no one will wish to remit." said U Barbu Gyi.

Because 25 percent remittance out of salary is mandatory, Myanmar citizens who fail to remit may find it difficult to apply for passports and other documents, pointed out experts.

When Myanmar migrant workers renew their passports and other documents, if they have not remitted 25 percent, because they have to spend a lot of money at the same time, it will be more inconvenient for them, said U Barbu Gyi.

Myanmar citizens who will go abroad for work

" When they have to renew their passports, they will find it difficult. I don't think it will be convenient for them if they have to spend a lot of money at the same time, including 25 percent remittance. Among those who haven't remitted 25 percent and don't have passports, some might go home depending on the situation of Myanmar and others might go on staying as overstayers. Those who will go home will choose illegal channels, I think." he added.

Those who were working in the factories that have suspended temporarily will find it more difficult if they have to remit 25 percent at present.

As Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand have to spend more money on more evidence documents than in other countries, Myanmar and Thailand should meet and negotiate to relax.

" Firstly, Myanmar embassy should resolve the problem of the MoU workers. Because the embassy did not solve systematically, it was not much successful. For example, a committee should be formed to solve the problems of Myanmar migrant workers." said Ko Naing Naing Aung, director of the Arakan Workers Organization.

The right to work abroad will be banned for three years if 25 percent of the salary is not officially remitted, warned in the announcement. 

Moreover, Myanmar migrant workers have to pay the 10 percent of income as the tax by the foreign currency that they receive starting from 1st October 2023.

CNI News

4 October 2023

The Karen National Union (KNU) has seven brigades and some of the brigades recognize the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) and others don't, said U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, to CNI News. 

Among the seven brigades of the KNU, five brigades don't recognize the NCA anymore and only two brigades want to go with the NCA, he said.

" Among the KNU's seven brigades, five brigades are participating in the Spring Revolution actively. So, not the whole KNU recognizes the NCA anymore. They are in a situation to go on participating in the public revolution in collaboration with the National Unity Government." said U Than Soe Naing.    

A brigade of the KNU

However, the KNU has not announced officially that the NCA has been void. Moreover, Brigade-7 of the KNU announced that it would find the solution for the domestic stability and peace by political means on 14 September 2023. 

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and former KNU chairman Saw Mutu Say Poe met and discussed about regional stability and peace on 30 September 2023.

The meeting confused the KNU forces and it did not have anything to do with the KNU, the KNU announced dated 2nd October, 2023. 

The KNU brigades are different from one another in the political attitude and there are disagreements in relation to the peace, said Dr.Aung Myo,a Myanmar political commentator, to CNI News.

Eight ethnic armed organizations including the KNU were signing the NCA on 15 October 2015

" Former KNU chairman didn't come here on behalf of the KNU. But it has shown that there have been a lot of people in the KNU who want the peace. There have been disagreements in the KNU about the peace that we can deem. We don't see the Brigade-2 has a clear attitude to fight against the Tatmadaw. The Brigade-7 is quiet almost at all. The Brigade-4 in Dawei region is staying quietly and in fact, Kawthulay Army and PDFs are active there.The Brigade-7 has been active and the Brigade-5 is the most active." said Dr.Aung Myo.  

Because the Tatmadaw had taken the State power, the NCA had been void, which Pado Sawta Do Hmu, general secretary of the KNU said at the KNU's press conference held on 10 August 2023

At present, NCA signatories - the KNU, the Chin National Front (CNF) and the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) are at battles against the Tatmadaw.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has said that 8th Anniversary Celebration of the NCA will be held and both NCA signatories and NCA non-signatories have been invited to attend the event.

CNI News

4 October 2023

Livestock aquatic products from Myanmar have been allowed to export to China through GACC registration, said Myanmar Fisheries Federation. 

In the past, captured fish only was able to be exported to China and at present, livestock fish also could be officially exported to China. 

Attempts had been conducted since 2009 to be able to export officially livestock aquatic products to China, said Daw Toe Nanda Tin, vice chairperson of Myanmar Fisheries Federation, to CNI News.

" Exported fish has been diverse since before, but captured fish. But now we can export farmed fish as well. We can export if the conditions are met. It is called FAF protocol. Because we passed the protocol, we can export. They inspected. Because they were satisfied with everything after inspection, they allowed us to export. And then, both countries signed the agreement. We had been trying to reach this situation since 2009." she said.

While catching fish from a fish farm lake

As livestock aquatic products can ne exported like that, there will be benefits for livestock operators. However, the government needs to designate the land for the livestock industry, said U Thet Soe, secretary of Tanintharyi Fisheries Department, to CNI News.

" We were not allowed to export officially in the past. But now we can export officially. So, it is beneficial to the local livestock industry. The government needs to arrange the land for the livestock. If we cannot carry out in accordance with the GACC system, we can't export. Farmed fish needs to be free from germs. If they find germs in the fish, they won't take it." he said.

It is necessary to farm, produce and export in accordance with the standards designated by China. Because some fish farms in Myanmar are associated with poultry farming, aquatic products from these farms cannot be exported reportedly.

Fish, shrimp, lobster, crab and eel produced from Myanmar are being exported to foreign countries through maritime and border trade channels and China is the main market of Myanmar aquatic products export.

CNI News

3 October 2023

Myanmar had to stop exporting live cattle and buffaloes to China during the Covid-19 pandemic and at present, preparations are being made to re-export them, according to the exporters of cattle and buffaloes. 

The trucks that had officially carried live cattle and buffaloes were shot by armed groups on the union main road where there are military conflict and there were also incidents of deaths and injuries.

If authorities designated a place for cattle and buffaloes trading somewhere in Mandalay Region, it would be convenient, said an official from the Cattle Exporters Association, to CNI News.

" Designate a place in Mandalay Region for trading cattle and buffaloes, Chinese traders will come there to buy. We'll pay the tax for cattle we sell there. Armed groups disturb the traders only and they don't disturb Chinese people. Traders from all over the country will come and sell their cattle at the place designated. Chinese traders will come and buy there. These are things that were officially bought. These are theirs if they make a loss or make a profit. Asking Myanmar traders to go to the border and sell cattle are like asking them to compete and it encourages the black market. If you want to know how you should do, you should do after consulting with people who are experts in this business." he said.

While seeing the trucks loaded with cattle to be exported to China

U Min Naung, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation signed on the agreement with General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China in relation to exporting cattle from Myanmar at the meeting of modern Silk Road implementation held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China on 18 September 2023. 

After that, they discussed about building cattle farms depending on the quantity and amount and  producing sustainably the live cattle and iced beef reportedly.

When the live cattle are exported to China through Muse border route, it is difficult to place cattle and to find food for them. So, it is necessary to designate a place for trading cattle around Mandalay Region, said traders. Although the Department of Livestock and Treatment is collaborating with the Ministry of Commerce for exporting cattle to China, it is necessary to lay down the policies in cooperation with expert traders, said U Soe Naing, a cattle trader, to CNI News.

"A person from the livestock federation phoned me recently. He said that we could re-export cattle to China. In fact, they don't know anything about trading cattle.  I don't work on it anymore because it wasn't convenient. It is necessary to cooperate with those who have been active on the ground so that it will be convenient. If inconvenient, the people will make a loss." he said.  

Most of the cattle ranches in Myanmar are located in Mandalay, Sagaing and Magway Regions. Cattles and buffaloes from Myanmar are being exported to China, Thailand, India and Bangladesh through official or illegal channels.