CNI News
11 June 2023

60,000 tons of corn seeds produced in Ayarwady Region are being exported to Thailand by ship, said Myanmar Corn Industry Association.

By exporting by ship like that, difficulty renting large trucks could be come over and time and cost of delivery could be saved, said U Thant Zin, vice chairman of Myanmar Corn Industry Association, to CNI.

"For the time being, we are expoerting 60,000 tons of corn seeds from Pathein Port to Thailand and a Thai company receives from a port near Kantang in Thailand.

When we export products of Ayeyarwady Region to abroad directly, we can avoid crowded ships at Yangon Port and overcome the difficulty renting large trucks and cost of delivery decreases" he said.

 corn seeds are being dried in the sun

Corn seeds produced in Ayeyarwady Region are being delivered to foreign countries by road and by water and this is the first time of exporting the corn seeds to foreign countries by sea from Pathein Industrial Project Port. If the profits gained from exporting by sea are equal to those gained from exporting through borders, corn peasants will export from Pathein Port in the long run, said Myanmar Corn Industry Association.

Because Ayeyarwady corn seeds are exported, cost of delivery to Yangon is saved.So, if exporting from Pathein Port like that can be conducted for long, corn peasants in Ayeyarwady will make more money, said Ko Min Khaing, a corn peasant, CNI.

2,000-ton ships and 3,000-ton ships only can dock at Pathein Industrial Project Port and 60,000 tons of corn seeds must be delivered about 20 times.But the journey is not very distant.So the work will be finished in several days, according to corn seed traders.

Thai traders and Myanmar traders are discussing in order to go on exporting Ayeyarwady corn seeds from Pathein Industrial Project to Thailand.

As corn season will come to an end before long, corn traders are trying to export corn seeds from Pathein Port in 2023-2024 corn season.

CNI News
11 June 2023

If you consider to solve currently existed political problems in Myanmar, you cannot exclude Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said U Mya Aye, an 88 student leader on his facebook page on the 10th of June, 2023.

"Whether a politician goes on existing or not depends on his or her decision and desire of the people who support him or her. If his or her action is right, he or she will rise and if not right, he or she will fall. You can critisize a politician. But criiticizing in a vulgar way is ethically indecent. Although you pull a politician down in various ways, he or she will not fall as long as the people support him or her." he said.

"You have the right to politically point out the points of disagreement and have the right to deny or reject. May be there are lots of disagreement with DASSK. It's no   problem. But DASSK has received the support of the majority of Myanmar people. You can't pretend not to know it.

You must pay respect to the people's desire. It's a matter of liking and dislikng or agreement and disgreement. But if you will consider to solve Myanmar political problems, you can't exclude DASSK from taking into account"

U Tin Oo and Thabarwa Tayar Yeikthar Sayadaw U Ottamasara seen on 8 June 2023.

Then he prayed for the speedy release of DASSK and political prisoners. DASSK has been detained at present.

DASSK should make peace only without taking part in political affairs, U Ottamasa, Thabarwa Tayar Yeik Thar Sayadaw, explained to U Tin Oo, patron of NLD, on the eightth of June, 2023.

" She (DASSK)is nationally and globally well-known and an influential person. If she makes peace only like Mahatma Gandhi, most of the people will follow her. She has a lot of good talents. A well-known and moral person like her will be able to carry out for the sake of the country and the world without having to run the election or taking office, I believe.Only if she makes peace, Tatmadaw may change its attitude. If she gives up politics and make peace only, the country may change. When she gives up politics, tatmadaw's attitude is a little tense" he said.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

having said that NLD government led by DASSK tried to organize a government without solving the vote list dispute in 2020 general election, Tatmadaw topled down the government and arrested DASSK.

After that, objections and protests against Tatmadaw arose and armed revolutions against Tatmadaw have been taking place in Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi regions, Chin, Kayin and Kayah States.

Due to armed conflicts,political, economic,social, educational and health sectors are deteriorating and many people are facing mental and physical insecurities.

CNI News
11 June 2023

Due to travel restrictions in Rakhine State, the people are having difficulties, said locals. SAC's ministry of security and border affairs directed the office of Rakhine State government to ban travel in Rakhine State from June 7.

Donors don't come to the pl.aces where IDPs are staying anymore because the roads and streets, said U Nyi Pu, incharge of Sinbaw Gaing IDP Camp, Mrauk U township, to CNI.  "

Donors hardly come here because streets and roads have been closed. There are the people who will come here and donate necessary materials. They says they don't come here because they don't get permission. We want the government to re-open roads and streets because when donors don't come, IDPs get into trouble." he said.

Although CNI phoned Col. Kyaw Thura, minister of border affairs, Rakhine State Admonistration Council to know more about the travel restrictions, he said he had not been able to answer because he was in the meeting room.

"Travel cannot be banned for long, which they (SAC) know. It may be related to military. It won't be long" said Dr. Aung Myo, Myanma Polotics analyst, to CNI.

In relation to travel restrictions, negotiations would be conducted after studying the reason why, Dqw Saw Mya Yarzar Lin, chairperson of Arakan Liberation Party, to CNI. She would have to take a little time to study the reason why SAC had restricted travel.  

Because Cyclone Mocha entered Rakhine State on 14th May, houses and streets were damaged and several people were killed. Reconstructional tasks have been needed up to now.

SAC has supported 70,000 lakh Kyats to carry out reconstructional tasks and rescue operations in Rakhine and food and construction materials are being delivered to Rakhine State every day.

CNI News

10 June 2023

Migrate workers with MoU expired in Thailand were renewd till 31st July, but according to MoU law, they must go back to their country and sign a new contract before the deadline, said U Aung Kyaw,advisor of MWRN, to CNI.

Employers in Thailand must send their employees back to sign a new contract and during that period, they send demand letters to Thai ministry of labour and can recall their employees,he said.

migrate Myanmar citizens seen before getting to Thailand

"It is worrisome is that workers with MoU expired may be arrested or taken action against according to Thai law. But Thai government provissionally extended MoU to 31st July and allow workers with MoU expired to stay and work.But migrate workers staying in Thailand by the millions really want that they don't have to go back to their country. So they demand relevant Thai officials to arrange in order that they can go on staying and working in Thailand. Thai government just allow the workers to stay for two months. In two months, go home. And sing a new contract and come back, said Thai government. That's it. The law hasn't been changed." he sid.

After 31st July, workers with MoU expired may be arrested, said those who are helping with affairs of Myanmar migrate workers, to CNI. Employers tend to sign new contracts with their former workers who are skilful in work rather than hiring new workers.

So, Myanmar migrate workers with MoU expired don't have to worry about their jobs although they have to go back home, they added.

migrate Myanmar citizens

Thai government tend to release particulars relating to migrate workers only when the deadline is drawing very near. So after July, an announcement mght be released, they said.

" The policy relating to migrate workers is always changing. If the cabinet issued a new regulation, it may be new labour registration Not only new labours but also former labours can register. I've heard about it for long. it is a real possibility.

If the regulation was issued, most of the migrate workers would go to register because if they had to go back, they could lose time and money. And when they go back to renew, if they take too long, their employers won't be able to wait for long. New workers can be hired.So, the number of those who wil go back for MoU will decrease" said U Min Oo, in charge of FED.

Myanmar migrate workers with MoU expired in Thailand cannot make out what will happen after July.So Thai authorities should make a press release on labour affairs early so that workers can make preparations, said those who are helping with labour affairs.

CNI News

10 June 2023

Some people say that if a general election could be held, arms conflicts would decrease and the country would be stable. On the other hand, if the election could be held, the country certainly might not win stability and peace, others said.  

Although the State Administration Council is making preparations to hold a a general election, peace and stability are depending on whether armed organizations accept a new government that will take office through the election or not, said U Thein Tun Oo, director of Grand Strategy Studies, to CNI.

a person casting ballots and another person holding weapons

" It's hard to say because SAC will hold a general election as it has announced, but what is the attitude of armed groups? Will they accept the new government that will take office through the election? To the best of my knowledge, quite a few groups change tend to change their attitudes a bit.

But many people are speaking out loud that a government is legitimate only if it comes through an election. But will current arms groups accept a new. elected government? Only if they accept, we will win the peace, we comment like this."  

arms conflicts have been taking place all over the country since February, 2021 and the country' politics, peace, economy, health, education and so on. are deteriorating.
The election that SAC will sponsor will not be free and fair, U Pe That, an arakan politian, to CNI.

a kayan ethnic girl seen after casting vote

" When an election is held, it needs to be free and fair. Their election commission has constricted opposition elements. NLD, main opposition party, has been cancelled and its members were arresetd or taken actions against and killed. Their election is not accepted by international community. There is not a real possibility to hold the election successfully. Taken up as a whole, the election will not be free and fair. The people are not interested in this election at all will not recognize it." he said.

"If a Hluttaw emerged after an election was held, because there would be representatives who would speak for the people, conflicts would decrease" U Li Paw Ye, chairman of Lisu Nationals Development Party, to CNI. However, he added he was not sure whether holding elections would get on well with arms groups and although two elected governments ruled the country, they did not fully get on well with arms groups.  

SAC released the new law relating to re-registration of political parties on 31 January 2023 and it has imposed that political parties must register or re-register within 60 days.

40 political parties including NLD and SNLD which did not register within designated period had been abolished, which the Union Election Commission released in March.

CNI News

10 June 2023

Local onion merchants, businesspeople and business associations are collaboratively planning to export Myanma onion to the Philippines directly, said onion merchants.

Myanma onion is being currently exported to the Philippines through Vietnam merchants and so Myanmar merchants and businesspeople are planning to export the onion the Philippines directly. For the time being, Vietnam merchants have been increasingly buying the onion in Myanmar, said U Aung Myint, an onion merchant from Myingyan, to CNI.

a worker carrying bags of onion on his shoulders

"Myanma onion is being exported to the Philippines through Vietnam traders, but this year the traders here are trying to export directly. Last year, onion prices skyrocketed in the Philippines. We knew about it later. We knew later that Vietnam traders were exporting Myanma onion to the Philippines. That's why traders here are discussing about exporting the onion to the philippines directly. Vietnam traders have been buying the onion here in a large scale since last year. In fact, they were exporting to the Philippines. They bought onion with 25 big trucks from Myingyan alone" he said.

At present, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese traders are buying the onion a lot and they bought the onion with 15 big trucks by weight 300,000 viss (1 viss = 3.6lb) from Monywa and bought the onion from Myingyan with 25 big trucks by weight 500,000 viss, said Myanmar onion traders.

Moreover, they bought at the price which is the same as the market price of Bayint Naung Commodity Depot and if they go on buying like this, onion prices will not drop, said U Aung Kyaw Sein, an onion trader, to CNI.

" Today there are so many buyers at Myingyan Commodity Depot. There are about eight traders who have sold to Vietnam, Muse and Myawady. Vietnamese traders bought  a viss of onion at 2250 Kyats. This is the same price as the selling price of Bayint Naung commodity depot. They started buying at 2,000 Kyats a viss. Traders from small towns can't sell at this price.But Vietnamese traders bought at 2,150 yesterday because they probably could sell at a higher price. If this keeps up, the price can't drop" he said.

If Myanmar traders can export the onion directly, they cam make a profit more than before.

However,Myanmar traders and peasants need to meet the Philippine's demands relating to trade, said traders.

CNI News
7 June, 2023

Thai authorities are arresting migrants with incomplete documents and illegal migrants in a different manner, said assisters for migrant workers to CNI.

Government employees from various departments are arresting mainly migrants working at factories and workshops employing a great deal of workers rather than at the factory and workshop with a few workers and especially arresting is more common in the border areas with Myanmar where most of Myanmar are staying, which is reported.

"Here it is called multi-departmental inspection. Labour Department inspects whether migrant workers have work permits or not.Immigration Department inspects residence permits and police also come with them. Especially when a big problem arises, they carry out an operation like this.

detainees being inspected

"In Thailand, apart from these organizations there are township general administration deprtment, township defence and security department, and human resources and development department in every town.Thai government employees from these departments gather and inspect. But they rarely inspect at factories and workshops with a few workers.There are two teams that inspect. One is special team including various departments.They can inspect at any time. The other is normal and has no power to inspect at any time.They tend to lie and blackmail." said U Min Oo, incharge of labour affairs from FED.

In the past,immigration officers and police in the border areas went and arrested illegal migrants with the help of interpreters after informing community officials in advance. Multi-departmental inspection and arrest very rarely took place before. Taking action agaoinst illegal migrant workers like this has been more common since 20th May, 2023, said Ko Thar Gyi who is helping Myanmar migrant workers.

Thai authorities tightening up inspection

Migrant workers with incomplete documents have to pay border officials under table every month so as not to be arrested. But when multi-departmental teams inspect and arrest, monthly payers also are arrested. They arrest by surprise.You can't redeem your man at all. Your man must be sent to his country.

Thai authorities have been carring out more inspections and arrests in Tark District where most of Myanmar are staying since 15th May. Moreover,Thai politics has been unstable after general election was held. So, Not only illegal residents but also legal residents need to watch out with their steps, those who are helping Myanmar migrant workers have suggested.

CNI News

7 June 2023

If a democracy could not be built in Myanmar, a federal would never be able to be built, said U Sein Win, former Pyithu Hluttaw representative, to CNI. When ethnic elements could even build democracies, we could not build a federal at the same time, he said.

"Government and Tatmadaw are leading to a democracy federal, but ethnic people are leading to a federal democracy. They don't want to put Democracy in front because they have a thought that they cannot build a federal although they can build a democracy. As a matter of fact, democracy is a system and federal is a structure. Structure is less important than democracy. In fact, if we cannot gain a democracy, we can never gain a federal. Democracy is more important.I don't know why ethnic people have gripped a wrong concept like this for long" he said to CNI.

People demanding democracy

Currently, discussions are being held between State Administration Council and EAOs about building a federal union. In the same way, NUG has told that they will build a federal union.
The main reason why bloodshed could not be avoided in Myanmar was due to the fact that a federal union had not been able to build a federal union, said Dr.Aye Maung, chairman of Arakan Front Party (AFP) to CNI.

" You can't say like that (what U Sein Win said). If you don't want Myanmar to shed blood, you must form the country into a federal. After the country has become a federal union, will the country be ruled with democracy or another sysytem? It is up to the people.If you carried out an analysis of the current situation, you would find out the reason why there is bloodshed in Myanmar is not because of democracy, but because of federal.Democrcy is comimg with federal. Because they don't want to give the states the rights to federalism, they put forward democaracy. Even after democracy is won,it's not sure that you win federal" he said.

an ethnic armed group

Transition to democracy and federal must be carried out at the same time, said Colonel Khun Okka, an ethnic leader to CNI.

At present, debates and discussions about how to build the country and what ruling system shall be used _ federal democracy union or democracy and federal-based union are being conducted in Myanmar.

Some of ethnic elements have presented to form a Bamar State. On the other hand, Tailai (Shan Ni), Paoh, Ta,ang and Wa are demanding to form new states for them
Myanmar currently is formed with seven regions, seven states, five autonomous regions, one autonomous division and a Pyidaungsu Teritory.

CNI News

7 June 2023

Daw Li Li Naing Kyaw, a singer, was shot dead with a pistol by a man outside No.A/267 apartment, Building 7, Yan Aung Street, Number 2 Ward, Yankin Township in Yangon Region on 30 May 2023.

Kaung Zarni Hein (B) La Pyayt who killed Daw Li Li Naing Kyaw, and his companion, Kyaw Thura (B) E.T were under arrest on 4th June in a man hostel in Kamayut Township in Yangon Region, which State Administration Council reported on 6th June.

The two men who were arrested attended an explosive technology course in Tatmaha 1 territory of Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA) for a month in June of 2021 and then they joined the Special Task Force and then attended an explosive technology course opend by STF near Bor Daing Village in Kokkareik Township for another month, according to their testification, which were reported by SAC.

materials thrown away by D Nein Lin and Kaung Zarni Hein

STF is led by D Nyein Lin and Hazel who sent their 27 members to Yangon Region dividing into small groups and D Nyein Lin, Hazel, Yathaw and Nway Nway asked their 5members through Telegram to make assessinations, according to the report.

According to the report by SAC, D Nyein Lin and Hazel sent photos and information concerned through Telegram on 25 May 2023 and Hazel delivered a Sig Saver pistol, two bullet boxes and 20 bullets on 28th May after which Kaung Zarni Hein shot Daw Li Li Naing Kyaw to death outside her home on 30th May, that the culprit testified.