CNI News

2 March 2023

The one-sided accusations of the United Arakan Party/ Arakan Army do not contribute to the peace process, said Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun of the Information Team of the SAC.

Although the ULA/AA has accused the Tatmadaw of detaining their members, the SAC had already released them, he said.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said, " The ULA/AA has been unilaterally accusing us of not releasing their members. However, we released 61 members on the sixth anniversary of the NCA. We again released 46 of them on the Diamond Jubilee of Union Day. In addition, we released 17 of them and 125 members of them on National Day. We have released not only them but also members of the KIA, the KN, the MNDAA, the RCSS, the SSPP and the TNLA. We have released 205 detainees for the peace process. Unilateral accusations like that will not contribute to peace."

The issue must be resolved through the negotiations between the ULA/AA, Arakan Politician U Pe Than told the CNI.

Leaders of the AA.

He said," They agreed to release all prisoners within two months, according to the press conference of Khaing Thukha. It is necessary to release prisoners from both sides. They know who they are referring to. U Khaing Thuka is referring to  people who are charged under the illegal organization act of  17 (1) and (2). The AA thinks that those who are charged under the section 17 (1) and (2) of the law for contacting the AA must be released and the SAC is too slow to implement their promise. They should check whether they have detained such people and must release them. This cannot be covered up. If Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun denies that they have detained such people, they should hold negotiations."

ULA/AA spokesperson Khaing Thukha said that pressuring local residents in some townships in Rakhine State not to contact and support the AA will lead to armed conflicts.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said that Myanmar troops in Rakhine State are security forces which have been deployed before the ceasefire.

A road junction in Rakhine State.

He said, "The accusations that the military has been deploying more troops in Rakhine State cause doubts among local residents. Troops in Rakhine State are those who have been deployed before the ceasefire deal. We deploy the troops for the stability of the community and security control."

Fighting resumed between the AA and the Tatmadaw in August, 2022 after two years of ceasefire.

Then, both sides reached a ceasefire deal on 26 November, 2022 in consideration of the losses suffered by local residents.

CNI News

2 March 2023

As the Myanmar embassy in Thailand has raised fees for new passports to Baht 1,250, agent commissions for Myanmar workers are likely to rise, labour activists in Thailand told the CNI.

The embassy raised the fee for new passports from Baht 800 to Baht 1,250 as of 1st March. Myanmar workers who apply for new passports are required to pay Baht 1,500 including Baht 250 for OWIC cards to relevant bank accounts, according to a release of the embassy.

Although the embassy raised the fee by more than Baht 400, agent commissions are likely to increase disproportionately, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He said, "Raising the fee by more than Baht 400 is too much. However, workers will have to pay the fee in the same way as they pay exorbitant commissions to agents. As the embassy raised the fee, commissions will increase similarly. Agents will ask for more than Baht 400 and the fees will place burdens on workers. They will have to pay the fees even if they cannot afford them by borrowing money from others. They are being forced to pay exorbitant fees. Workers who apply for passports from the border cannot go to the embassy and if their employers do not help them apply for passports, they will have to hire agents. Different agents will ask for different fees. It costs them from Baht 8,000 to Baht 9,000 to apply for a passport. Workers from remote areas will have to pay more than tens of thousands of Baht just to get the passport."

People waiting to get passports in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

At the same time as the embassy raised fees, it should also increase the number of passports it issues each day as the move would be more beneficial for workers, labour activists said.

Although workers have to pay fees for OWIC cards when they apply for passports, the cards and passports are not issued together. It is difficult for workers to go and fetch the cards again at another place, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "Fees have to be paid at one place and cards have to be claimed at another place on the appointed date. It can be said that authorities are dishonest because OWIC smart cards can be issued at the same time and place as they use machines. It would be convenient for workers if authorities issue the cards and passports at the same time. Moreover, workers are forced to go to Maha Chai to get the cards. It costs them more money even if their employers allow them to be absent from work. Otherwise, their wages will be cut by their employers. The process causes unnecessary troubles for workers and is chaotic."

People waiting to get passports in front of the Myanmar embassy in Thailand.

Workers who apply for passports from mobile teams which go to factories and construction sites with large numbers of Myanmar workers are required to pay Baht 1,500 and their passports will be issued in the second week of March, according to the release of the embassy.

Workers whose passports will expire before 31st August, 2023 can make appointments at the embassy every Saturday, according to the embassy.

CNI News

28 Feb 2023

Those who register political parties are being accused of treachery, Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi of the People's Party said.

He made the comments at the central committee of the PP held today.

U Ko Ko Gyi said, "We are accused of being traitors for just registering political parties at present. Other politicians are also registering their parties or struggling to survive. Ethnic political parties also do not deny that political parties that represent them should survive. To simply put it, their ethnic armed organizations are trying to register as political parties despite casualties and arson attacks in their areas but there are no threats against them. However, our Bamar political parties are being accused of treachery. I don't know their way of thinking. I can't accept it. The military staged a coup in 1962 and established a political party and it again staged a coup in 1988 and established a political party. I will have to ask them a question whether we should allow this to continue."

The second central committee meeting of the People's Army in progres on 27th February, 2023.

The SAC has enacted the political parties registration law and rules and some political parties are registering their parties.

On the other hand, the National Unity Government announced that it would not recognize the elections held by the SAC and would disrupt them.

U Ko Ko Gyi said that political issues must be resolved through political means and urged the public not to cave in to their emotions.

The second central committee meeting of the People's Army in progres on 27th February, 2023.

He added, "They said those who register political parties are power thirsty. It is very difficult to establish a political party, to organize people and there are shortcuts. However, you can see that it is not necessary to run for election to get appointed at the national level position without taking part in elections. However, we believe in the people and recognize public support. So, we urge the public to support us not through emotion but through political means."

The SAC chairman promised to hold elections in 2023 and hand over power to the winning party.

CNI News

28 Feb 2023

The tourism sector of Myanmar at present has to mainly rely on domestic tourists as foreign tourists rarely come to the country, tour operators and hoteliers told the CNI.

At present, it is difficlt for the tourism sector of Myanmar to recover quickly like other countries to the level before COVID-19 and it is still struggling to survive, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association told the CNI.

Pilgrimages to the ShweDagon Pagoda.

He said, "At present, the main driving force of the tourism sector is domestic tourism, which has been supporting hotels and local businesses. Therefore, we should focus on domestic tourism at present. Domestic tourism is likely to boom further. Foreign tourists come to Myanmar occasionally as international flights have resumed but their arrivals have not been high. Domestic tourism will increase when schools are closed at the end of March. Most people go to beaches and Ayeyarwady Region. Domestic tourism accelerated in the New Year and has slowed down in January and February but it is likely to reach its peak in the summer."

Compared with domestic and foreign tour activities in 2021, the activities in 2022 increased in 2022 and the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism has vowed to make progress in 2023.

However, tourism activities will not reach 10 percent of the pre-COVID-19 period, U Naung Nang Han said.

Therefore, it is necessary to guarantee the services and security of domestic tourism not to lost travellers, Chairman U Zaw Zaw of Hoteliers Association (Shan State-North) told the CNI.

Bagan pilgrimages.

He also added that the tourism industry cannot rely on domestic tourism alone, it is important to attract foreign tourists, he added.

He said, "Hotels charge US$ 25 for foreigners a night. At the current exchange rates, they get more than fees from domestic tourists. This is also the case for restaurants. What is spent in MMK is not as beneficial as that in US$. As soon as they come, the government has received revenues. As far as I know, foreigners think that the country is not stable. So, they need to launch awareness raising campaigns to guarantee peace and safety. Then, they will come to Myanmar again. At present, more foreign business people are coming to Myanmar."

Some tour entrepreneurs are taking part in tour exhibitions in other countries to attract more foreign tourists.

At present, Thai tourists make up the largest number of foreign tourists in Myanmar and domestic tourists are likely to reach their peak during the Thingyan water festival, according to tour entrepreneurs.

CNI News

28 Feb 2023

Lakes in some wards in Dala, which faces water shortages in summer every year, in Yangon Region, have dried up, according to local residents, who have to rely on the lakes for water supply.

As water is still available in only one-third of the lakes and no donors have popped up, local residents are being forced to buy drinking water, Local Resident Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "Some have already dried up and others are about to run dry. Two-thirds of the lakes have already dried up. Some wards have already faced shortages of drinking water and difficulties. They are being forced to buy drinking water. When donors come, they will not be forced to buy it. Some residents who cannot afford to buy drinking water have to fetch it from lakes where water is still available. Donors come to us to donate water every year, but they have not come yet this year."

A pipeline is being installed in Dala.

As six wards in the town have faced water shortages, residents have reported the issue to the township administrator and the development affairs committee, according to local residents.

Even when donors come, residents do not have facilities to store water.

Well-wishers usually come to donate water for a week but residents have facilities to store water for only three days.

As lakes in some wards have begun to dry up, authorities have to limit time for fetching water from lakes, Administrator U Aye Win of Yarzathingyan Ward told the CNI.

Dala Township faces water shortages.

He said, "Donors have not popped up yet because there is water in some lakes. I think they will come to us in March. We are trying to save water by limiting water-fetching time. We allow residents to fetch water for one hour in the morning from 7 to 8 am and another one hour in the afternoon from 4 to 5 pm. It is more difficult to get drinking water. As our ward has fewer lakes than others, residents have to fetch water at lakes in other wards. We face shortages of drinking water every year."

Residents have dug tube wells to solve the problem but water from tube well in the township is salty and has rusty colour. Therefore, the water is not suitable for cooking and drinking and has to be used for cleaning alone, according to residents.

At present, water from Twantay has been supplied to Dala through pipes by the development affairs committee but the water is not suitable for drinking and the poor cannot afford it.

CNI News

27 Feb 2023

As rice exporters from border trade have stopped buying rice and broken rice, the prices of them have dropped, according to the Bayintnaung Commodity Exchange.

Rice exporters from border trade are required to exchange 65 percent of their earnings at the rate set by the Central Bank of Myanmar, they have stopped buying rice while their counterparts from mercantile trade follow suit as rice exports are not profitable for them due to high domestic prices.

As a result, prices of export rice and broken rice have fallen in the domestic market, Secretary U Than Oo of the Bayintnaung Rice Commodity Exchange told the CNI.

Loading rice bags.

He said, "Summer paddy is going to be harvested soon and the market has cooled down. Exporters from border trade are required to exchange 65 percent of their earnings at the rate set by the CBM. It is not profitable for them and thus they have stopped buying rice. The price of broken rice has fallen by MMK 1,000 per bag while that of rice has decreased by MMK 2,000 per bag. Merchants who transport rice to Mandalay, Muse and Myawady have stopped buying rice. Merchants from normal trade have long stopped buying rice because it is nor profitable for them. Prices are likely to fall further.

If the volume of rice exports can be reduced below the level in previous months, domestic rice prices are likely to fall, according to rice merchants.

As paddy yields have dropped at present, negotiations are being held to decide the amount of rice for local self-sufficiency and exports, an official from the Myanmar Rice Merchants Association told the CNI.

A rice shop.

He said, "To export 2 million tons of rice in this fiscal year, we need to export 300,000 tons of rice before the end of March. We planned to export 150,000 tons of rice in February and another 150,000 of rice in March. However, we were not able to export 150,000 tons of rice in February because it is not profitable for exporters at current rice prices. Rice exports have dropped during recent months. However, we exported a regular volume of rice during previous months. Paddy yields have dropped this year in Sagaing and Ayeyarwady regions. So, we are holding negotiations to decide how much rice we should export to maintain local rice sufficiency.

At present, the prices of Emata variety 25 marks rice, which is mainly exported, have dropped to MMK 53,000 per bag and its prices are likely to fall further when summer paddy is harvested, according to rice merchants.

Myanmar has planned to export 2 million tons of rice and still needs to export 300,000 tons of rice to meet the target. So, plans are underway to export 150,000 tons of rice in February and another 150,000 tons of rice in March,

according to the Myanmar Rice Federation.

CNI News

27 Feb 2023

The Issuance of passports for Myanmar nationals in Malaysia will be resumed as of 1st March, according to a statement released by the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

The issuance of passports was temporarily suspended for the maintenance of machines and computers starting from 6th February.

Then, the embassy announced that issuance of passports will resume as of 1st March.

Statement about issuance of passports.

On 1st March, passports will be issued for applicants who have received appointment tokens since 6th February according to their token numbers.

Applicants have been urged to the Myanmar embassy together with required documents in person.

Passports for those who fail to come to the embassy on their appointed date and those whose passports expire in February and March will be issued in the afternoon depending on the number of passports the embassy can process each day, the statement said.

The Myanmar embassy in Malaysia.

Currently, the Malaysian government has allowed foreign workers to apply for Ricarli Brasi (RTK) work permits.

To apply for RTK permits, workers are required to submit their passports and recommendations from their employers. Therefore, Myanmar workers are applying for passports.

CNI News

27 Feb 2023

The calls for the resignation of the entire central executive committee of the Karen National Union are likely to be rejected by KNU because such calls sounded like an order, Chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe of the Karen National Democratic Party told the CNI.

Sixty-eight Karen civil society organizations have called for the resignation of the entire central executive committee to take accountability for failure to overcome the political leadership crisis.

He told the CNI, "It looked as if they were issuing orders. It is difficult for them to order an armed organization. Therefore, people from Duplaya and Kyarinseikkyi made a petition urging KNU leaders to hold negotiations instead of fighting each other. The civil society organization should have taken lessons from such an example. They need to think about whether an armed organization would accept what they said."

The civil society organization sent an open letter to the KNU, urging the entire central executive committee for failure to take action against an executive committee member who was involved in gambling projects in Karen State and to acknowledge the case to the public.

The open letter sent by 68 Karen CSOs.

On 17th January, 2023, Thai PBS reported that Phado Saw Roger Khin had approved the Hwamywa new city project near the Shwe Kokko new city project in Karen State. And KNU leaders failed to take action against the project.

Such issues should be resolved through negotiations between brigades or political organizations, Mahn Aung Pyi Soe said.

He told the CNI, "In my opinion, the best way to resolve such an issue is through negotiations. If the CSOs had met the KNU and discussed the issues, the result might have been different. At the same time, the KTLA faction led by Nerdah Mya is fighting against other KNU factions. I am too disappointed to talk about the issues."

The CNI contacted the KNU over the phone for comments about the open letter of the 68 CSOs but it has not answered the phone.

The KNU is a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement but it has fought against the military in cooperation with the People's Defence Forces since the coup on 1st February, 2021.

CNI News

25 Feb 2023

Although border gates between Myanmar and Thailand have been reopened, Thai tourists are likely to visit Myanmar when stability has been restored in Myanmar, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs told the CNI.

Although Thai-Myanmar border gates have been reopened, it is not possible for Thai tourists to visit Myanmar.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19 , there was a large number of tourists from Thailand but it is still difficult for them to visit Myanmar through the border.

Thai tourists in Tachilek

He said, "It is not possible for Thai tourists to cross the border easily because regional security is important. It is not easy for them mainly due to regional security and stability. It is difficult for them to visit Myanmar from the border in large numbers. However, trade has improved. When security has improved, they will come to Myanmar. Currently, they have to rely on airlines. Before the border gates were closed, they came to Myanmar by car and we went to them by car.

They crossed the border to Myawady and Hpa-an and Kyaiktiyo. Some of them came to the border and we went and fetch them to visit in the country."

Gates at Thailand and Myanmar were closed for almost three years due to COVID-19 and now major gates including Myawady-Mae Sot No (1) Friendship Bridge, Kawthaung-Ranong gate and Tachilek-Mae Sai No (1) Friendship bridge have been reopened.

Thai tourists at the Botahtaung Pagoda

Reopening of the gate and bridges is beneficial for border trade, according to businessmen and labour activists.

However, Thai tourists and Myanmar workers are not likely to cross the border in large numbers due to security reasons, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi told the CNI.

He said, "Karen State is a war zone and fighting has erupted in Karen State almost daily. Gunfire and explosions are heard every day. Both Thai citizens and Myanmar workers are required to take security into consideration when they go to the border. The Myanmar government has reopened the border gates for Thai tourists, Thai authorities are worried about the security situation in Myanmar. Thai merchants and tourists are worried about their security."

Thai tourists at the ShweDagon Pagoda

At present, small groups of Thai tourists comprising about 10 members visit Yangon and nearby destinations, according to the Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association.

After international flights have resumed, Thai tourists make up the largest number of travellers to Myanmar and they mainly visit pagodas like the Shwe Dagon, Botahtaung and Kyaiktiyo.