CNI News

22 Mar 2023

Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI that they have registered the ANP out of political necessity of Rakhine state and its people.

He added that they still had a long way to go politically for ethnic groups in Rakhine State and for its future before building a genuine federal union together with other ethnic political forces.

He told the CNI, "As we believe that we still need a political party representing Rakhine ethnic groups, we have registered the ANP as a political party. Under the new political parties registration law, it is very difficult for us to stand as a political party campaigning in the entire country. I felt we have been restricted from forming a national political party. However, we have registered the ANP as a regional party representing Rakhine State and the Rakhine people."

ANP Chairman U Thar Tun Hla.

He said different people had different ideas about registering a political party and he did not want to make a comment on other people's opinions.

The Union Election Commission has been preparing to hold a general election in 2023 and issued the new political parties registration law and its rule on 31st January. It has invited political parties to re-register again since then.

A total of 32 political parties have re-registered so far and eight of them are parties that will campaign in the entire country, according to a press release of the UEC on 20th March.

U Thar Tun Hla told the CNI, "We have vowed to build a genuine federal union as much as we can."

The office of the UEC.

The chairman of the State Administration Council has promised to hold a general election in 2023 and to transfer power to the winning political party.

However, the acting president of the National Unity Government has vowed to disrupt the general election, which will be held as a political exit for the minilary.

CNI News

22 Mar 2023

As some fishery products exported to Thailand through the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate leaked foul-smelling liquid, Thai authorities have warned that the exports of some fishery products will be prohibited at the gate, according to the Singkhon-Mawdaung Border Traders Association.

Thai authorities have instructed exporters to pack fishery products and jellyfish, major export items through the gate, properly or otherwise, exports of them will be prohibited from the gate, Ko Myo Ko, an exporter at the gate, told the CNI.

A truck at the Singkhon-Mawdaung border gate.

"Thai authorities have been holding negotiations with us because jellyfish containers leak a lot of water that makes the gate very dirty. So, If we use plastic bags in the containers, the water will not spill. And fish trucks are told to drain water before they arrive at the gate. Otherwise, they will have to ban fishery exports. There are many other export commodities traded through the gate. Fishery products are frozen but jellyfish need water. If we can follow their instructions, there is no problem. Otherwise, they will prohibit fishery products."

There is a buffer zone known as No Man's Land at the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate and exporters dump water and wastes at the zone. As a result, the areas has been filled with wastes and foul water and Thai border guard forces made complaints to their authorities.

As the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate has mainly been used for fishery exports from Tanintharyi Region, fishery exports are banned from the gate, it would take longer time and cost fishery exporters higher transportation charges, an official from the association told the CNI.

 A fishery market at Thai-Myanmar border.

He said, "It has an impact on Myeik District because fishery products are mainly exported to Thailand from Myeik as the route is short. If they banned fishey exports from the Singkhon-Mawdaung gate, we will have to use the Ranong route and will suffer more delays and losses. We are using Singkhon-Mawdaung gate because it is easy to export fishery products in a short time.

Border trade at Singkhon-Mawdaung gate, exports make up 70 percent of trade and imports accounted for only 30 percent, according to the statistics of the ministry of commerce.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, border trade from the gate hit as much as Baht 5 million daily.

CNI News

22 Mar 2023

The government of Thailand has been planning to employ more migrant workers from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, labour activists, who have been offering assistance to Myanmar workers, told the CNI.

The labour ministry of Thailand discussed the matter at a meeting on 20 March but has not announced the detailed recruitment program, Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand told the CNI.

A restaurant in Thailand.

He told the CNI, "It is likely that they would recruit MoU workers from countries that have signed MoU with it, including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. We haven't known the details or whether they will continue the former policies, which hurt the rights of workers. The process is too expensive. So, I think they will issue pink cards to illegal workers."

At present, labour demand is very high in many sectors including the manufacturing and construction sectors, according to labour activists in Thailand.

It is beneficial for Myanmar illegal migrants if Thai authorities choose to issue pink cards or temporary work permits.

If Thai authorities choose to issue pink cards to illegal migrants, it is beneficial for Myanmar migrants, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

 Myanmar MOU workers in Thailand.

He said, "Even if authorities issue stay permits, illegal migrants will be able to stay in Thailand. It is a blessing in disguise because it is impossible for undocumented migrants to stay in Thailand. It is even difficult for legal workers to renew their documents and it costs them a lot of money because they have rely on agents and agencies as documents are written in Thai language. Their rules and regulations are too complicated for Myanmar migrants.

Labour activists in Thailand have assumed that authorities will not recruit MoU workers.

Thai authorities will try to earn revenues by issuing pink cards to illegal migrant, Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, " In most cases, they issue pink cards to illegal migrants because the earn much more revenue in doing so, especially from agencies, companies and employers. The migrant have to apply for pink cards through them. They will give 15 days to apply for pink cards. It is the best way for them to earn revenues. I am almost sure they will do this."

Thai authorities issued pink cards for about 700,000 illegal migrants in 2022.

CNI News

21 Mar 2023

Residents have been unable to buy rice and some foodstuffs in Paletwa in Chin state, which relies heavily on Kyauktaw for trade, as only a few people have been permitted to transport them, according to residents.

In the past, Paletwa residents were allowed to buy rice from Kyauktaw but now they were not allowed to carry even a bag of rice, U Tun Aung Din, a resident, told the CNI.

He said, "We are having a hard time. Authorities operate ships only when they want to transport goods. At other times, operations of ships and motorized boats are banned. The military has also been doing what it wants. Authorities sometimes allow Rakhine merchants to transport goods. However, they do not permit us to carry goods and arrest us. We are not allowed to carry rice. We have to buy rice from Rakhine merchants."

Residents of Shinletwa Village in Paletwa Township.

Paletwa residents have to rely on Kyauktaw Township to buy commodities.

The Pawsanhmwe rice price hits MMK 100,000 per bag while that of rough rice reaches MMK 60,000 per bag in Kyauktaw at present.

As a result, the price of rough rice in Paletwa stands at MMK 70,000 and that of fine rice hits as much as MMK 180,000, according to residents.

Although authorities announced that rice can be carried with the permission of the township administrator, resident families get permission to carry half a bag of rice once in two months, U Hla Maung Thein, a Paletwa resident, told the CNI.

Provision of food to IDPs in Shinletwa Village in 2017.

He said, "They have imposed such restrictions not because of instabilities. Paletwa is now stable. Fighting has stopped. If they do not give permission, we cannot go to Kyauktaw to buy rice. If we carry a little rice for our children, who are students. They ask us so many questions like for who we are buying rice and where we are carrying rice to. They say they will seize rice if we carry a full bag of the crop. They allow us to carry half a bag of rice."

In transportation of goods to Paletwa, a z-craft is operated twice a week and private ferries are still prohibited.

Rice rations provided by the WFP to IDPs have been prohibited since early March while internet connections have been cut off, according to IDPs.

Local residents are required to apply for permission from relevant administrators to carry certain commodities.

CNI News

21 Mar 2023

Myanmar migrant workers who will have to renew their passports at the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia are getting into trouble and are not likely to get their documents renewed in time as the embassy has been issuing appointments that extend until 2024, Myanmar nationals in Malaysia told the CNI.

Issuing appointments for passport renewals that extend until 2024 in March, 2023 does not make sense, they told the CNI.

Hmwar Michael, who has been living in Malaysia, told the CNI, "It is impossible for us to force the embassy to issue earlier appointments but migrant workers will get into trouble. At a time when the Malaysian government is issuing the RTK work permits, the embassy is delaying the passport renewal process. Even when the host country has permitted us to stay and work in Malaysia by applying work permits, the embassy cannot renew our passports in time. It is very bad. Myanmar migrant worker will get into big trouble. Many Myanmar migrant workers are coming to Malaysia illegally. Work permits of some migrant workers expire in March, April and May. They haven't had their passports renewed."

People queuing for passport renewals.

Failure of machine to issue passports and shortages of passport booklets have led to the delays, according to Myanmar nationals in Malaysia.

At present, not only passport renewers but also new passport applicants have to wait more than seven or eight months to get passports.

Although the CNI contacted the Myanmar embassy in Malaysia, it did not answer the phone.

U Soe, who has been living in Malaysia, told the CNI, "Most of them have work permits, which are required to be extended at leat one or two months ahead of their expiries. Now, the embassy is issuing appoints that go far beyond the expiries of work permits. Migrant workers will get into trouble. Every migrant worker need a passport because factories employ those who have passports. Even new applicants have to wait seven or eight months to get passports.

Employers want to help renew the work permits of their employees but Myanmar migrant workers do not have valid passports. The other day, a list of new passport applicants was announced. However, they will not get passports at once. They will have to wait again. Employers want to apply for worker permits. However, the embassy cannot issue or renew their passports in time because of the shortage of documents.

The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia.

Myanmar nationals in Malaysia are calling for the embassy to renew or issue passports in time for application for the RTK work permits.

The RTK permits can be applied for 31st December, 2023 with passports and recommendations of employers.

As the embassy is issuing passport renewal appointment that extend until 2024, Myanmar migrant workers are likely to be arrested when Malaysian authorities launch operations against illegal migrants, Myanmar nationals in Malaysia told the CNI.

People queuing for passport renewals.

Hmwar Michael said, "Employers and agents are trying to overcome the problem in one way or another but we don't know exactly. They are trying to get certain documents like special passes. It incurs them more costs. We want the Myanmar authorities to issue or renew the passports of migrant workers in a timely manner so that they can get work and stay permits as soon as possible at reasonable costs. It is convenient for them if passport processes run regularly. I just want to call for it."

At present, it costs a work permit holder Ringgit 250 to renew their passport and for a migrant who does not have a work permit 580 Ringgit to do so.

It costs new applicants for passports Ringgit 280.

CNI News

21 Mar 2023

She accepted the chair of the Arakan Liberation Party because the party central committee proposed her to take the helm of the party, Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin told the CNI.

Six months after the new politburo was formed, she was urged to take the helm of the party and she accepted the post in consultation with commanders during the leadership crisis.

She told the CNI, "The majority in the party has hoped to see me as a leader for a long time. To be precise, since six months after the formation of the new politburo, I have been urged to take the helm of the party. During the recent leadership crisis, I held consultations with our commanders online and they proposed that I take the chair of the party. So, I accepted the proposal. And Vice Chairman Khaing Ni Aung is a veteran politician, who has been working with the former Chairman Khaing Moe Lin in the Moelin Yazar Column. He might be old but we must respect him for his experience. So, they elected us as the chair and the vice chair of the party."

A statement on the restructuring of the ALP.

Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin was the vice chairperson of the party and the ALP issued a statement about the restructuring of the party on 19th March, 2023. She was appointed as the chairperson and Khaing Ni Aung was named as the vice chairman, according to the statement.

After the restructuring of the party, she promised to carry out peace and development tasks in Rakhine State and in the entire country.

She told the CNI, "We will work for the stability and development of Rakhine State as much as possible in negotiation with the government. Whichever government takes office, we will talk about peace with it. We are always thinking about peace and development for the people. We are making constant efforts to carry out such tasks."

Daw Saw Mya Yazar Lin and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

In January, 2022, the then chairman Khaing Ye Khaing and the faction led by Daw Saw Mya Yazar Ling dismissed the then vice chairman Khaing Soe Naing Aung after accusing him of forming a new party.

After the restructuring of the party, former chairman Khaing Ye Khaing was not included in the leaders of the party.

The ALP is one of the ten signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

CNI News

19 Mar 2023

As the Thingyan festival is approaching, bookings for chartered vehicles have increased by large numbers, according to chartered vehicle rentals.

Compared with the last Thingyan festival, the number of people travelling in charter vehicles have increased and most of them are travelling to Taunggyi, Inlay or Bagan.

As fuel prices have skyrocketed, rental costs have risen, an official from Zarti Myay Chartered Vehicle Rental told the CNI.

He said, "We have been preparing for the Thingyan festival since early March. There are many people who have booked for chartered vehicles. Most of them are going to Taunggyi, Inlay or Bagan. Compared with last year, the number of travellers has increased slightly but it has not reached the level before the pandemic. We are in trouble as fuel prices have skyrocketed. Rental costs for chartered vehicles have risen higher than our customers have expected. Rental costs for a chartered vehicle to Bagan have risen from more than MMK 100,000 previously to more than MMK 200,000."

The Alodawpyae Pagoda in Bagan.

Although domestic tourists usually travelled to beaches such as Chaungtha, Ngwesaung and Ngapali in Thingyan festivals previous years, they are planning to go to Shan State and Bagan this year.

Those who go to beaches under packages of tour operators but domestic tourists travel to Inlay and Bagan in chartered vehicles that have at least ten seats.

Although the festival is still four weeks away, people are seeking information about chartered vehicles and about 50 percent of them have already booked chartered vehicles for the festival, Ko Ye Tint Lwin, founder of the Lwin Myanmar Tour and Chartered Vehicle Services, told the CNI.

Pagodas in Bagan.

He said, "People are seeking information about bookings. As the festival is approaching, there are likely to be more bookings. About half of the information seekers have already booked chartered vehicles. The number of bookings will increase when the festival is nearer."

However, it is difficult to hire chartered vehicles when the festival is nearer and rental fees are likely to be higher together with rising fuel prices. As a result, those who intend to travel in chartered vehicles are required to book them in advance, according to tour operators.

Some famous chartered vehicle rentals have received bookings for all their vehicles.

CNI News

19 Mar 2023

Welcoming the mediation of China to end the current conflicts in Myanmar by the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Council is a diplomatic move, Rakhine Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

He said China has exerted influence to some extent on member EAOs of the FPNCC.

He said, "China has links with the EAOs and exerted influence on them to some extent. So, they were forced to issue such a statement when China led the peace process. However, it is not certain such an approach will work and it is still a long way. I don't know whether it is realistic or not as fighting has continued between some of them and the military. And there are political issues. What kind of peace are they going to build and what kind of union are they going to establish? What are the positions of individual members? There are so many questions. The statement is just a diplomatic move or a tactic because China wants to get involved in the process. I don't see any other motives."

Members of the FPNCC

The FPNCC is made up of the Wa State Solidarity Army, the Peace and Solidarity Committee (National Democratic Alliance Army) of Special Region 4 in Shan State (East), the Kachin Independence Army, the Shan State Progressive Party, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party, the Arakan Army and the Palaung State Liberation Front.

Chinese mediation might end armed conflicts in northern Myanmar but China does not have influence on organizations which are close to the West, Col Khun Okkar, an EAO leader, told the CNI.

He said, "Chinese mediation might end or reduce armed conflicts in northern Myanmar and Chinese projects like pipelines, railways and highways might be implemented. However, China does not have contacts with the NUG and the CRPH because they are under the sway of the West. So, Chinese involvement might only partly resolve issues in Myanmar."

Members of the FPNCC, the Chinese special envoy and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The FPNCC said in its statement that it believes that ethnic minorities in border areas would restore universal peace and build a federal union together with mainland Myanmar.

Although there are various ways and means to realize the concept, the minority ethnic groups will have to rely on the strength and capabilities of themselves eventually, the statement added.

Members of the FPNCC are EAOs active along the Sino-Myanmar border.

CNI News

18 Mar 2023

Two days after three US banks collapsed, domestic and international gold prices have increased day by day, according to sources in the Yangon Region gold market.

Amid rising gold prices, the demand for gold has been sluggish, Chairman U Myo Myint of the Yangon Region Gold Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

He said, "As the US banks have gone bankrupt and two Switzerland banks has been almost bankrupt, stock and share prices have dived. As a result, gold prices have gone up day by day. The more the banks are bankrupt, the higher the gold prices are. So, domestic gold prices have risen but the demand has dropped. Domestic gold prices have gone up just because of the rising international gold prices."

In the international gold market, prices have risen from US$ 1,883 per ounce to US$ 1,929 per ounce on 17th March.

 Gold jewelry.

Similarly, domestic gold prices have increased and the reference pure gold price at the YGEA rose by more than MMK 50,000 to MMK 2,272,000 per tical.

Although international gold prices have skyrocketed, domestic gold prices cannot be raised much because of price discrepancies between the two markets. As gold prices are higher, more people will resell their gold, which will accumulate in the Yangon market, he added.

He said, "There are price discrepancies between the domestic and international markets. If we increased domestic gold prices, those who have bought gold jewelry would resell theirs. An gold mines have also been producing gold. They can resell their gold only in Yangon and gold has accumulated in Yangon. And no one wants to buy gold jewelry at the prices of more than MMK 2.8 million per tical. Everyone is reselling their gold. If international gold prices drop to US$ 1,600 or about 1,700 per ounce, Myanmar people will be able to buy gold."

As a consequence of the collapse of the bank, US dollar prices are likely to fall but gold prices in the domestic market are calculated based on US dollar prices at home, gold prices at home are still likely to further rise global prices, according to market observers.