CNI News

17 Sept 2022

A heavy weapon round fell into the Mwedaw Church, where internally displaced persons were taking shelter, in Moebye at the border of Shan State (South) and Kayah State, killing a boy and a girl (siblings) and two men, according to a statement issued on 16 September by Moebye Rescue Team.

The rescue team announced, “Residents of Moebye should not gather in crowds and take shelter in safe places.”

A heavy weapon round fired by the Tatmadaw fell into the Mwedaw Church on 16th September, killing a boy and a girl (siblings) and two men over 50-year-old and injuring nine other civilians, according to the rescue team.

Civilians injured by a heavy weapon round in Moebye on 16th September, 2022. (Moebye Rescue Team)

Since 8th September, fighting has broken out between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of the Karenni National Defence Forces, the Karenni Army, Moebye People’s Defence Force, Phekhon PDF and the Karenni Revolutionary Union.

Tensions were running high between the two sides and clashes could break out at any time.

More than 4,000 people have been displaced by the clashes since then.

The Tatmadaw has not issued any statement about the incident.

CNI News

16 Sept 2022

Gold prices, which rose to more than MMK 3 million per tical, dipped a little when the government sold gold coins but they may slip further if gold coins are sold in Yangon and Mandalay, according to some people in the gold market.

Last week, the prices of Academy pure gold rose to more than MMK 3 million per tical and dropped to MMK 2.8 million per tical this week.

Gold price fell again because the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation sold gold coins. If gold coins are sold in gold trading hubs like Yangon and Mandalay, gold prices may drop further, Ko Nay Lin Khant, a gold market analyst, told the CNI.

He said, “Gold prices are likely to slip further if gold coins are sold in Yangon and Mandalay. They first said, they would sell gold coins at MMK 2.7 million per tical. Actually, they sold gold coins at MMK 2.8 million per tical in Nay Pyi Taw. We think gold prices will fall further to about MMK 2.7 million per tical. It is difficult to fall back to MMK 2 million per tical currently.”

The entrance to Yangon. (GETTY IMAGES)

Recently, gold prices set new records to MMK 3.5 per tical and slipped back to MMK 2.87 million per tical currently.

Gold price decreased because many people are reselling their gold due to falling exchange rates and prices of gold in the global market, Secretary U Ohn Myint of the Myanmar Gold Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

“At present, the foreign exchange market is cooling down. So, gold prices fell back. Another factor is gold prices are also falling in the global market. Now, crops are being harvested in the entire country. So, some people resell their gold to invest in crop trading. The demand for gold has shrunk and gold prices have become stable.,” he told the CNI.

In the currency market, US dollars hit MMK 3,500 per dollar last week but dipped back to between MMK 3,200 and MMK 3,500 per dollar. The foreign currency market has yet to be stable.

The entrance to Mandalay. (Khant)

As the current fall in gold prices may be a sign of mustering momentum for another rise, this is no time to buy gold, Market Analyst Ko Nay Lin Khant told the CNI.

He said, “It was said that some people bought gold at MMK 2.8 or 2.9 million per tical because gold prices dipped below MMK 3 million per tical. However, I don’t want to encourage people to buy gold because prices take one step back before taking two steps forward.”

The prices of Academy pure gold dropped from MMK 3 million to MMK 2.8 million per tical but it is expected that gold prices will rise again before falling back, according to gold entrepreneurs.

Gold merchants said that the SAC aimed to stabilize gold prices at MMK 2.5 million per tical and US dollar prices at MMK 2,700 per US dollar.

CNI News

16 Sept 2022

Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand have been temporarily laid off alternatively from two weeks to a few months without being paid since June, labour activists for Myanmar workers told the CNI.

Fishing boats owners laid off Myanmar workers temporarily without paying their salaries, citing bad weather conditions and rising oil prices but complaints have not been filed to authorities.

Labour activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI, “We will have file complaints to authorities after making their lists. Employers are responsible for workers even when operations are suspended. We can file complaints to departments responsible for protection of workers and port management authorities. However, fishing worker have not filed complaints to them. Therefore, it is difficult for labour activists because no one file complaints to authorities. They are worried about being permanently sacked. Fishing workers do not have skills for other jobs.”

Laid off temporarily without being paid, fishing workers have to take odd jobs near ports or some of them move to other places.

When employers suspend their businesses temporarily, they are required to pay salaries to workers, labour activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand. (CNN)

He said, “The employers have not stopped their operations permanently and asked their workers to work in rotation. If the workers came here under the MOU, they can raise questions with their agencies. Moreover, the employers are responsible to pay full salaries to the workers under the labour law even if operations are temporarily suspended.”

The majority of fishing workers in Thailand are those who came to work in Thailand legally. There are hundreds of Myanmar fishing workers in Thailand.

Compared to Myanmar factory workers in Thailand, those in the fishing industry are more vulnerable to human rights abuses, Executive Director U Htoo Chit of the FED told the CNI.

He said, “If factory workers have problems, it is easier for them to file complaints to authorities. In the past, workers in the fishing industry were subject to human rights abuses and human trafficking. Such cases can still be seen in some areas. It is more dangerous for Myanmar fishing workers. The main problem is that they do not file complaints to authorities. They should be able to demand their rights. Some workers are worried about losing their jobs or retaliation by employers. So, they avoid direct confrontation with their employers.”

It is difficult for some fishing workers to make complaints with authorities because they were forced to surrender their job contracts to their employers.

There are about 50,000 Myanmar nationals working legally in the fishing industry in Thailand.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

The US Embassy in Myanmar urged the Tatmadaw to respect the democratic aspiration of the people on 15^th September.

The statement was made on the International Day of Democracy, which falls on 15^th September 2022.

The statement says, “On this International Day of Democracy, we reaffirm a basic truth: that democracy - government of the people, by the people, and for the people - is humanity’s most enduring means to advance peace, prosperity, and security. The United States joins the people of Burma in their pursuit of freedom and democracy and calls on the regime to respect the democratic aspirations of the people who have shown they do not want to live one more day under the tyranny of military rule.”

The statement of the US Embassy on the international day for democracy.

The Tatmadaw took over State power and declared a state of emergency on 1^st February, 2022, after accusing the NLD of attempts to form a government without settling voters’ lists disputes.

Therefore, anti-junta pro-democracy protests broke out in the entire country, leading to an armed struggle called the Spring Revolution.

Currently, armed clashes have broken out in Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Rakhine State, Chin State, Karen State and Kayah State while deaths and explosions are frequently reported in Mandalay Region, Yangon Region, Mon State, Shan State and Bago Region, undermining the rule of law.

 A pro-democracy demonstration. (Frontier Myanmar)

SAC Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing promised to hold a general election in 2023 and hand over power to the winning party.

However, pro-democracy forces said that the election held by the SAC is a fraudulent one to continue to maintain power.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

As the Tatmadaw has been reinforcing its troops in Rakhine State via land, water and air routes, the Arakan Army is planning to conduct stop and search operations along waterways. Such blockade of waterways may pose a threat to livelihoods, according to residents and business people in Rakhine State.

Residents are relying on waterways as roads have been blocked in Rathedaung Township for three months. Blocking waterways poses a threat to livelihoods of the grassroots, U Kyaw Min Khaing, a resident of Rathedaung, told the CNI.

He said, “We have to rely on waterways for trade. If waterways are blocked, people in the entire township will be under siege. This will affect all three social classes but the grassroots will bear the brunt. They are struggling for their lives every day. They will face difficulty for their daily needs amid rising prices. The other two social classes can survive without worrying about their daily needs.”

A vessel operating in Rakhine State. (MOI)

The AA announced on 14^th September that it would conduct stop and search operations vehicles and vessel along roads and waterways used by the Tatmadaw.

Vessels plying in Rakhine State have suspended their operations indefinitely, according to residents.

Commodity prices will skyrocket due to suspension of water transport and residents will have difficulty for their daily needs, Secretary Ko Aung Aung of the Rakhine State Chamber of Commerce and Industry told the CNI.

He said, “The most important issue is the daily needs of the people. If the commodity flow is smooth, prices will not rise. People can go to their worksites. At least, they have no problems for their daily needs. Some people rely on transportation for their livelihoods. Commodities are very expensive in Maungdaw. Imposing restrictions on transportation of goods will push up prices. We cannot import goods from the other country and we cannot export goods to it as well. The public is in trouble. We don’t know what will happen. We are closely watching the situation.”

Water transport to and from Sittwe has not been suspended until 15^th September, according to Ko Aung Aung.

As commodity prices are rising, people in the entire country face difficulty for their daily needs, crimes have become rampant.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

The Farmers Development Association has called on authorities not to take action against farmers who failed to repay their loans from government banks, Chairman U Thein Aung of the FDA told the CNI.

Some farmers were unable to repay their loans due to a general crisis including abnormal weather conditions, pests and rising fertilizer prices.

U Thein Aung told the CNI, “We went to relevant ministry and met officials personally to submit our requests. We called on authorities to grant new loans for farmers who have repaid all their loans and not to take action against those who were unable to repay theirs. Some farmers have been unable to repay their loans for a few years. Action is generally not taken against them but they cannot apply for new loans.”

Thanks to the requests of the association, farmers who have repaid their loans can get new loans within one month.

Farm girls spreading paddy seeds. (Department of Agriculture)

As peasants have embraced mechanized farming, they face high costs of inputs.

Farmers who can repay their loans are those who engage in other livelihoods in addition to farming, Farmer U Aung Kyaw Mya told the CNI.

U Aung Kyaw Mya said, “I think only about 20 percent of farmers can repay their loans and about 80 percent of them could not because they have many difficulties. Those who have repaid engage in other livelihoods like fish breeding. Those who do farming alone cannot repay loans.

Due to the rising prices of inputs such as fertilizer, fuel oil, pesticides and seeds and shortages of water, some farmers had to halt their farming activities or decrease cultivation acreage, leading to falling crop yields.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

They don’t want to see the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone turn into a battlefield, Central Executive Committee Member Sao Khun Kyaw Win of the Pa-O National Organization told the CNI.

He expressed his personal opinion that the local people will fall victims of war if the zone turns into a battlefield and said the PNO has adopted a policy to prevent the zone from becoming a battlefield.

Sao Khun Kyaw Win told the CNI, “I think journalists have already known out policy. The PSAZ, which was known as special region (6) when we reached peace agreement, has its own territory designated by the government. Other armed organizations also have their own territories in all four directions. Boundaries are in place. We don’t want to see our zone turn into a battlefield. If clashes broke out in our zone, there were no problems for armed organizations. We can protect ourselves. We can share our rations with the people. However, they will fall victim to war. They will get into trouble. So, we have adopted a policy to prevent the zone from becoming a battlefield.”

Member of Pa-O militia. (PNO)

Two outposts of the Tatmadaw in Naung Htaung in Hsehsai Township in the PSAZ came under attack by the United Southern Shan Federal Union- USSFU on 12^th September. It was the united front’s first military operation since it was founded.

During the fighting, at least 20 soldiers from the Tatmadaw lost their lives, according to the statement of the united front.

However, the Tatmadaw did not issue any statement about the clashes.

They have no comment on the clashes that broke out in the PSAZ, Joint General Secretary (1) of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization told the CNI.

He said, “We have no comment on the clashes. However, every armed clash leads to loss of lives and damage.”

Pa-O National Defence Force. (PNDF)

He added that the PNLO is not active in Naung Htaung in Hsehsai Township but they used to travel past the area.

Meanwhile, the PNLO/PNLA, on 15^th September, condemned the PNO for the arrest and murder of five members of the PNLO in Wapyone Village, Pin Mon Village-tract in Pinlaung Township in Shan State (South) on 14^th September by PNO/PNA militia.

Armed clashes in Naung Htaung in Hsehsai on 12^th September were the first armed conflicts that had broken out in the PSAZ since the coup by the Tatmadaw on 1^st February, 2021.

The PNO is a militia organization formed by a Pa-O nationalist political party led by U Aung Kham Hti.

CNI News

15 Sept 2022

Typically charged in US dollars, service fees in the hotel and tourism sector should also be charged in Rubles, the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

Charging fees in the sector in Rubles can attract Russian tourists, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA told the CNI.

He said, “Russians have a lot of Rubles but they cannot exchange their money into US dollars. It is difficult for banks to exchange their money into US dollars. So, they hesitate to travel. If they are allowed to use Rubles here or to exchange into Kyats at a rate like the Yuan-Kyat direct payment system, they will travel to Myanmar and spend a lot of Rubles in Myanmar. It is difficult for ordinary Russians to spend US dollars.”

Although payments through Master cards and Visa cards are accepted in Myanmar, it is necessary for banks to prepare for payments through MIR cards and Union Pay used by Russians. If such payments can be accepted, the tourism sector will see dramatic development, he added.

Tourists visiting U Bain Bridge in Mandalay. (AP)

However, he said that fees in the sector should be charged in Kyats currently to buttress the depreciating Kyat and to reduce dependency on US dollars.

He said, “If tourism services are sold in Kyats, the Myanmar currency will be strengthened. It is important for the national economy. Airlines and hotels set their prices in US dollars. If they sell their services in Kyats, Rubles from their cards will flow to banks and a direct link between the two currencies can be established. So, it is important. We can reduce the dependency on US dollars if they sell tickets for domestic flights in Kyats. Our association collected admission fees in US dollars in the past but now we collect admission fees in Kyats. So, we can reduce US dollar dependency. Similarly, if they sell their services in Kyats properly, it will be convenient for them.”

Some countries like Thailand, China and Singapore use the system to make tourists exchange their money into local currencies for their expenses but it is difficult to implement the system in Myanmar, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tour operator, told the CNI.

Tourists visiting the ShweDagon Pagoda. (MWD)

He said, “When we need foreign currencies for imports, we cannot buy US dollars from the government. Then, there is the issue of dual exchange rates. The greater the demand for the US dollar, the higher the prices of US dollars. If our export sector was strong and US dollars were received from taxes on export earnings, it would be nice. However, there are restrictions on exports and conditions to manufacture products or provide services that meet international standards are gradually dwindling. It is just a dream. We still have a long way to go.”

During a recent visit of the SAC chairman and ministers to Russia, they agreed to cooperate in multiple sectors between the two countries. Therefore, expectations are running high in the tourism sectors, according to entrepreneurs.

Tour operators also said it is important to launch direct flight between the two countries immediately to attract Russian tourists.

Currently, Russians who visit Myanmar are not tourists but government delegates and it is expected that Russian tourists will visit Myanmar in the upcoming dry season.

CNI News

14 Sept 2022

Clashes between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of the Karenni National Defence Force and Karenni armed organization in Moe Bye have displaced more than 4,000 residents amid intense fighting, Ko Banya of the Karenni State Human Rights Group, told the CNI.

Clashes, which started on 8^th September, have continued until today, he added.

He told the CNI, “According to latest data, six civilians were injured while a seven-year-old child died. Volunteers on the ground estimated that a total of 5,000 residents would be displaced by the fighting. However, clashes have continued in the town and in residential quarters. If clashes continue, total number of IDPs may hit 10,000.”

Some IDPs are taking shelter in Loikaw and neighboring villages and have faced shortages of food and accommodation, he said.

A shelter for IDPs under construction. (Karenni IDPs Assistance Network

As the intense fighting broke out suddenly, residents were not able to bring foods and other necessary items. It is difficult to go back to bring food because clashes have not halted. As a result, the residents have encountered difficulties, an IDP, who is taking shelter in Loikaw told the CNI.

He said, “Many IDPs have faced difficulties. Some organizations are helping them but they cannot reach out to all IDPs. I would like to urge other organizations and donors to support IDPs from Moe Bye in Karenni State and offer food and necessary items for us.”

Since the military coup on 1^st February 2021, fighting has broken out between the Tatmadaw and joint forces of the KNDF, the Karenni Army, Moe Bye People’s Defence Force, Phekhon People’s Defence Force and the Karenni Revolutionary Union.

Due to the armed clashes, about 200,000 people have been displaced in Karenni State while over 300 civilians were killed, according to Ko Banya.