CNI News

25 Jan 2023

Since dates have been announced for application of work permits in Malaysia, the number of arrests against illegal migrants has decreased, according to Myanmar nationals living in Malaysia told the CNI.

Before the announcement for application of Rekalibrasi work permits (RTK), Malaysian authorities intensified the arrests of undocumented workers.

Ma Nyo, who has been living in Malaysia, said, "When authorities intensified the arrests of undocumented workers, their employers have to apply for work permits for them. Now, authorities have announced that they would issue work permits for illegal migrants the number of arrests of illegal migrants has decreased. Now, it has become difficult for workers who have overstayed their visas to find jobs because employers are liable to pay fines if they give jobs to overstaying workers. Now, if employers fail to apply for permits for their workers, their workers will be arrested and they will be fined."

A place to apply for the RTK work permits

Undocumented foreign workers including Myanmar national have been allowed to registered with authorities for application of the RTK work permits between 27th January and 31st December, according to the immigration authorities of Malaysia.

Undocumented workers from 15 countries who have passports and an employer who will give jobs to them have been allowed to apply for RTK work permits.

Although authorities have decreased the arrests of illegal migrant workers, those who are involved in commotions are subject to legal action. As a result, Myanmar national who have been living in Malaysia have urge illegal migrants to apply for work permits.

Hmwar Michael, a Malaysian resident, said, " We want those who have passports to apply for work permits. Although authorities have decreased the arrests of illegal migrants, they are required to apply for work permits because if they have all necessary documents, they are safer. Overstaying workers are subject to arrests at any time. Now, authorities have stopped detaining illegal migrants if they do not receive complaints. Only those who cause commotions or going out late at night in groups or play loud music at night are detained. I think their detention centres and camps have overcrowded with illegal migrants. There are only 11 camps here. There is no problems for those who live peacefully. It is good for illegal migrants to apply for work permits."

Malaysian authorities detaining illegal migrants

Myanmar nationals in Malaysia have urged overstaying migrants to apply for work permits.

Authorities have allowed illegal migrant workers to apply for RTK work permits for eight types of jobs and prohibited them from working in five sectors.

Illegal migrants are permitted for eight types of jobs including manufacturing, construction, mining and quarries, security guards, services, agriculture, plantation and house workers and domestic workers are permitted to work in Malaysia for the first time, according to a statement released by immigration authorities.

Five types of jobs have been prohibited for foreign workers including textile, goldsmith, barber, social welfare and recycling industries.

CNI News

25 Jan 2023

U Tin Nyunt, a representative from Shanni Solidarity Party, was murdered by unidentified gunman in Namma Township in Kachin State on 24th January.

He was shot to dead at a tea shop and motive behind murder was still unclear, an SSP representative told the CNI.

He said, "It was said that he was murdered at a tea ship at about 8 am and we haven't known the motive behind the murder. He was a social volunteer who was leading a simple life."

U Tin Nyunt represented the SSP for No (7) constituency of Kachin State of the upper house in the 2020 general election in which he lost.

Shanni nationals

The SSP was not available for comments over the murder.

An SSP representative said he might have been murdered because he had accompanied the teams to compile voters' lists.

He said, "As far as we know, he might have been killed for helping the teams to compile voters' lists because it was a sensitive issue across the country. It was said that he was shot at the head. Different people have different opinions on the issue."

The SAC has been compiling voters' list to hold elections in upcoming August since 9th January.

Resistance forces have been targeting ward administrators and team members for compiling voters' lists.

Before the 2015 elections, Ko Kan Set and Ko Tun Lwin from the Tailai (Shanni) National Development Party were murdered in Hpakant Township.

CNI News

25 Jan 2023

As Chinese tourists have started touring neighbouring countries, they are likely to visit Myanmar soon, according to the Myanmar Tour Entrepreneurs Association.

Recently, Chinese authorities have permitted their citizens to travel at home and abroad.

As direct flights between Mandalay and Guangzhou have resumed, Chinese tourists are likely to visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan in large numbers, Chairman U Naung Naung Han of the MTEA told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "There are a large number of travellers in China. Many Chineses people are enthusiastic about making outbound trips at present. It can be said that there is a great potential for the tourism industry in Myanmar. Chinese tourists have started travelling to neighbouring countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Myanmar will also get its market share and direct flights between Mandalay and Gaungzhou have resumed. Chinese airlines are operating direct flights to Mandalay while the MAI has resumed flights to China. The more flights the airlines operate to and fro China, the more Chinese tourists visit Myanmar. Chinese tourists are interested in Mandalay, jade and shopping. It is not surprising that Chinese tourists are interested in Mandalay bacause security and stability can be guaranteed there. More Chinese tourists will visit Mandalay and Yangon. As Chinese tourists do not stay for long in Myanmar, they do not travel to different destinations and usually visit Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan in large numbers.

Tourists on U Bein Bridge.

Although about 100,000 Chinese tourists visit Myanmar annually, Chinese tourist arrivals this year are not likely to hit that level because the number of flights between the two countries is still low and border gates have just reopened, according to tour entrepreneurs.

Tens of thausands of Chinese tourists are likely to visit Myanmar this year but it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists Myanmar can handle comfortably, U Naung Naung Han added.

He said, "As we are reopening tourism based on the political situation and healthcare services available in the country, it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists we can handle conveniently. Although China has permitted its citizens to travel at home and abroad, we cannot expect hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists to visit Myanmar this year. For example, a flight can bring only about 150 or 200 passengers. Therefore, only a few thousands of Chinese tourists can visit Myanmar this year and it is an appropriate number of Chinese tourists we can handle in terms of healthcare services. If hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists visited Myanmar, we would not be able to provide healthcare services during a health emergency because we don't have sufficient healthcare infrastructure. We still need to prepare for such scenarios."

Foreign tourists.

As only a few tourists from Eruope have visited Myanmar, hotels in Bagan will have to rely on Chinese tourists for about 50 percent of their operations, Chairman U Zaw Weik of the Myanmar Hoteliers Association (Bagan Zone) told the CNI.

He said, "If more flights are scheduled, Chinese tourists will visit Myanmar. As there are only a few European tourists, we will have to rely on Chinese tourists for 50 percent of our operations. Chinese tourists stay in Bagan at least one day. We are making preparations not only for Chinese tourists but also for tourists from other countries. Most hotels in Bagan except those who are still closed are making preparations for foreign tourists."

Chinese tourists accounted for the largest number of tourists in Myanmar but Thai tourists have surpassed them after the outbreak of COVID-19.

Currently, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Myanmar has risen above that of Thailand, according to tour operators.

CNI News

24 Jan 2023

What would happen next if elections could not be held as planned is the hotly debated question in the political circle.

The failure to hold elections in accordance with the 2008 constitution will make it null and void, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

He said, "If elections could not be held in accordance with the 2008 constitution, it might be abolished by staging a coup and a new constitution might be drafted. We cannot predict exactly what would happen next but the 2008 constitution would become null and void."

Snr Gen casts his vote

The SAC chairman promised to hold elections in the upcoming August and to transfer power to the winning party.

The SAC would hold the elections without fail as it was the only means for it to overcome the political crisis, Political Observer U Than Soe Naing told the CNI.

U Than Soe Naing told the CNI, "I reject the hypothesis that elections could not be held because the SAC will hold the elections without fail as it is the only way out for them from the crisis. However, the elections will not be free and fair. The elections will not be held properly. They will be fraudulent elections. So, I have never thought that elections could not be held. Even if elections should not be held, they would try to cling to power."

If elections could not be held, the 2008 constitution would become null and void, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.

He said, "Everything depends on the next move of the military. The state of emergency will end on 1st February in accordance with the 2008 constitution. Whether elections will be held or not depends only on the military. If they do not hold elections, the constitution will become null and void. Whether elections are held or not, there will be problems because they are the consequences of the coup.

A security checkpoint at an entrance to Nay Pyi Taw

Acting President Duwa Lashi La of the NUG said on 11th October, 2022 that the SAC assumed the 2023 elections would be the way out of the crisis for them and vowed to disrupt them without fail.

On the other hand, the SAC has been compiling voters' lists for the elections.

As a result, some immigration offices faced arson attacks.

CNI News

24 Jan 2023

Issuing certificates of identity to pink card holding Myanmar migrant workers bring benefits only to agents, Thailand-based labour activists told the CNI.

The CIs have been issued since 17th January and all migrant workers were required to apply for CIs by 13th February. However, Thai authorities extended the deadline until 15th May.

Illegal migrants are not eligible to apply for CIs and it is even difficult for pink card holders to apply for CIs because the process is very complicated. So, it is very difficult for workers to apply for CIs by themselves and they have to rely on agents. The requirement bring benefits only to agents, Labour Activist U Min Oo of the Foundation for Education and Development told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "It is very difficult for workers or their employers to apply for CIs by themselves or on behalf of their workers. Authorities ask for many other documents. No one has enough time to go to authorities three or four times. So, they have to rely on agents, who have already had connections with authorities. Agents give them a certain percentage of their agent fees. Pink cards alone cannot guarantee CIs. Workers are required to submit their E-workpiermits and blue booklets or E-work permit slips. Then, they have to make payment at 7/11 stores. The process is very complicated."

CIs holders

Thai authorities issued pink cards to about 600,000 illegal Myanmar migrant workers in August, 2022.

CIs are documents issued for illegal Myanmar migrant workers recognized by the two countries and pink card and work permit holders who do not have CIs are not allowed to work outside designated areas.

CI holders are permitted to work in the entire country in Thailand and to return home officially.

Thai and Myanmar governments are collecting fees for CIs for their revenues, Labour Activist Ko Thar Gyi, who has been helping Myanmar workers in Thailand, told the CNI.

He said, "Thai and Myanmar authorities are collecting CI fees from workers. About 99 percent of workers do not want to apply for CIs. Thai authorities should allow Myanmar migrants who have pink cards to stay and work in Thailand. However, they are exploiting Myanmars by using their authority.

 Myanmar migrants

Workers have to pay Baht 1010 ( about MMK for 100,000) to authorities for CIs. However, Myanmar workers actually have to pay as much as Baht 7,000 to 8,000 per person for CIs."

Some Myanmar migrant workers were forced to pay Baht 10,000 to agents and documents they received were sometimes fake ones.

CIs are valid for four years and they are issued in provinces such as Chiang Mai and Ranong and labour activists have urged authorities to make the application process easier for workers.

CNI News

24 Jan 2023

Rubber yields in Mon State this year decreased lower than the previous year, according to rubber plantation owners.

The drop in rubber yields was attributed to high costs of inputs, shortages of substances used to increase the yields of latex sap and difficulties to produce rubber due to instabilities in some areas, plantation owners said.

Rubber technology consultant U Thein Tun told the CNI, "Rubber yields have dropped lower than that of last year. Latex yields decreased due to late monsoon. Another reason is that workers could not travel to plantations to harvest latex. Some plantation owners could not afford inputs."

Natural letex

Rubber yields dropped by 20 to 25 percent because inputs cannot be made in the early season and the yields have continued to drop even in the leaf-shedding season.

Rubber is exported as usual but domestic rubber prices have fallen as international prices have dropped.

Rubber prices stood at MMK 1,200 per pound and profits for plantation owners varied depending on the quality of rubber, General Secretary U Khain Myint of the Myanmar Rubber Planter and Producers Association told the CNI.

He told the CNI, "We are buying and exporting rubber as usual. However, rubber prices have dropped in the international market at the moment. We can get between MMK 1,150 and 1,200 per pound. If plantation owners grow low quality rubber trees which can produce 500 pounds per acre, their production costs will be higher but if they grow high quality rubber trees that can produce 1,500 pound per acre, their production cost will be lower. So, their profits may vary depending on the quality of rubber trees they grow.

Drying rubber under sunlight

Fertizer prices rose from MMK 30,000 per bag last year to more than MMK 100,000 this year, plantation owners will suffer losses if the prices continue to fall.

There are more than 500,000 acres of rubber in Mon State, which produces more than 100,000 tons of rubber. Myanmar exports rubber to Thailand and China, earning millions of US dollars every year.

CNI News

24 Jan 2023

Chairman Gen Yawd Serk of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army is planning to go to Nay Pyi Taw to meet Chairman Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing of the State Administration Council soon, Tai Freedom news agency of the RCSS reported.

The Shan general will be accompanied by central committee members Col Saung Han and Lt-Col Oak Khay and central leading committee members Maj Nang Moe Mow Saw and Maj Nang San Phaung and support teams.

The RCSS delegation will meet Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the peace making team and discuss the current political situation, the peace process, bilateral issues and trust building processes, according to Tai Freedom news agency.

An RCSS delegation meets the peace making team of the SAC.

The news agency did not elaborate on the precise date but the Shan general would arrive in Nay Pyi Taw today, sources close to authorities said.

Gen Yawd Serk met Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the peace making team and discussed the peace process in Nay Pyi Taw in May, 2022.

The RCSS/SSA is an ethnic armed organization and a signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

CNI News

22 Jan 2023

Container trucks transporting tissue bananas to Kanpaiti border trade gate at the Chinese border have to decrease freight charges to lower than that of the previous year, according to truck drivers in Kanpaiti.

As a result, earnings for truck drivers and owners have dropped and they are likely to suffer losses if they are required to repair their vehicles, Ko Shan Gyi, a truck owner, told the CNI.

He said,"Freight charges have dropped to about 7,000 Yuan. In the past, we earned as much as 8,000 Yuan to 13,000 Yuan from place to place. So, freight charges have dropped significantly. We haven't suffered losses but our earnings have dropped. In the past, we earned as much as MMK 1.3 million. We can earn MMK 850,000. If we don't need to repair our vehicles, it is still profitable for us. If we have to repair our vehicle, we will suffer losses."

Freight trucks.

Freight charges were reduced after the state government, tissue banana companies and banana plantation owners held negotiations in November, according to truck drivers.

Another reason for decreasing freight charges may be falling banana harvests and lower demand for freight transportation but they are likely to increase when bananas are harvested massively, Ko Thawdar Aung, a truck driver, told the CNI.

He said, "Last year, the demand for transportation was high and we could raised freight charges. This year, only a few banana plantations have been harvested and the demand for freight transportation is low. As a result, we were forced to accept the freight charges they proposed. Last year, truck owners could ask the fees they liked as the demand for freight transportation was high. When bananas are harvested massively after the Chinese New Year, we can ask for higher fees."

As bananas are being harvested in only a few plantations, truck drivers can operate only two trips to the border a month at the moment but their incomes are likely to increase when bananas are harvested massively and they can operate more trips to the border.

Container trucks are being used in the border trade in Kanpaiti and 60 percent of freight trucks have been transformed into container trucks.

CNI News

22 Jan 2023

The upcoming elections should not be meant for resolution of an individual's crisis, Chairman U Thar Tun Hla of the Arakan National Party told the CNI.

He added that overcoming the current political crisis called for political dialogue.

He said, "The Myanmar crisis is a political issue and as a result, it must be resolved through political means in order to secure commitments. Then, it is necessary to roll out the plans to implement the commitments to the public. If so, the public will be interested in the political process, which will be beneficial for the entire country. Elections should not be meant for resolution of an individual's political crisis."

Checking voting papers.

He added that the current political crisis of Myanmar cannot be resolved by holding elections.

The upcoming elections would serve as a peaceful means to overcome the current political crisis, Spokesperson Naing Than Shwe of the Mon Unity Party told the CNI.

Naing Shwe Than said, "The general election will be held within six months after lifting the state of emergency. Under the 2008 constitution, the elections must be held. The elections are essential for restoring the federal democracy not only for the SAC but also for the entire country and a means to overcome the political crisis."

He added that elections are essential to the democracy system.

The SAC announced that a general election would be held in August, 2023 and power would be transferred to the winning party.